IMDb and IMDbPro Partner With Easterseals to Highlight Entertainers in the Disability Community – Film News in Brief
Easterseals Southern California is collaborating with IMDb and IMDbPro to highlight disability representation in honor of Disability Pride Month and the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July. The partnership will last until the end of August.
“To see the disability community featured so prominently on IMDb, our longtime partner, is incredibly impactful,” Nancy Weintraub, chief advancement officer of ESSC, said. “It helps us truly reflect the spirit of disability pride, recognizing the influence, voice and achievements of people with disabilities across industries, especially media.”
According to the CDC, 25% of U.S. residents or more than 70 million people across the country reported having a disability in 2022. The longtime partnership between IMDb and IMDbPro for their annual Easterseals Disability Film Challenge acknowledges professionals from the disability community who have also worked closely with IMDb. The collaboration features curated content in the IMDb Spotlight special section, including exclusive video interviews, photo galleries, lists, short films and more.
Members of IMDbPro can access the IMDbPro and Easterseals Disability Pride Month Spotlight, which is a list of professionals from the disability community that links to individual IMDbPro name pages, allowing members to learn more and contact them to collaborate on upcoming projects.
Additionally, IMDbPro gives members the choice to self-identify as a member of the disability community and control the display of this information on their IMDb and IMDbPro name pages as well as in IMDbPro search results. IMDbPro worked closely with ESSC and other organizations to develop this feature.
Nic Novicki, founder of the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, said, “This moment is about more than visibility. It’s about reshaping the industry from within and making sure disabled talent is recognized, hired and celebrated year-round.”
Fathom Entertainment and Paramount Pictures will commemorate the 75th anniversary of “Sunset Boulevard” with screenings in over 1,000 theaters nationwide on Aug. 3 and 4.
“Sunset Boulevard” was restored in 4K using a 35mm print from the Library of Congress, which was provided for color accuracy to honor Billy Wilder, the film’s director, with the original version. Additionally, the release features a new 5.1 audio mix produced by Deluxe Audio with support from New Zealand’s Park Road Post Production company.
The movie follows former Hollywood legend Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), who refuses to fade away from the spotlight. After meeting a struggling screenwriter, Joe Gillis (William Holden), she plans to make a comeback with his help. Originally released on Aug. 10, 1950, “Sunset Boulevard” was one of the first films selected for preservation in the National Film Registry and is ranked in the top 20 of the American Film Institute’s list of the Greatest American Films of All Time. Additionally, “Sunset Boulevard” was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, including best picture, and won three for best art direction, best music and best writing.
The film features performances by Erich von Stroheim and Nancy Olson, as well as cameo appearances by Cecil B. DeMille, gossip columnist Hedda Hopper and silent film actor Buster Keaton. “Sunset Boulevard’s” anniversary screening is a part of Fathom’s Big Screen Classics series. The summer movie-going event includes an introduction by cinema critic and historian Leonard Maltin, who discusses the landmark film and offers insight into the classic motion picture for each screening.
Upcoming screenings include “The Sound of Music 60th Anniversary” on Sept. 13-14 and 17 and “Rocky IV: Rocky vs Drago – The Ultimate Director’s Cut” on Nov. 5 and 9.
Netflix has released the Director’s Cut Red Band trailer for “Fixed,” a new animated film starring Adam Devine, Idris Elba, Kathryn Hahn, Fred Armisen, Bobby Moynihan, Beck Bennett, Michelle Buteau and River Gallo. The film will be released on Aug. 13.
The film is directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, who previously created projects such as “Samurai Jack,” “Dexter’s Laboratory,” “Primal,” and “Unicorn: Warriors Eternal.”
“Fixed” follows Bull, a slick and quick-witted mutt who discovers “his owners plan to neuter him after he’s caught mounting grandma one too many times, leading to an all-night adventure of a lifetime.”
“Bull is every man, he is lovable, funny, witty, and confident. Then at the same time, he is also nervous, shy, neurotic, and anxious. A complete human, as a dog. His journey is quite simple. He believes that his powers come from his dangly bits, but he learns that it is what is inside that is important,” said Tartakovsky.
“Fixed” is produced by Sony Pictures Animation.
Watch the trailer for “Fixed” below.
The 29th LA Shorts International Film Festival has announced its 2025 lineup. This year’s lineup will include 470 films from 34 countries, and will take place at the Regal Cinema LA LIVE from July 16 to July 28.
Notable entries for this year’s lineup include “A King’s Curtain” starring Austin Pendleton and Stephen McKinley Henderson, “Bottom’s Dream,” starring Nigel Lythgoe, “Helga” with Michael Gandolfini, “The Clock” with CCH Pounder and Wallace Shawn, “An Evening at Martini’s” with Mattias Ferrell, “Before They Joined Us” directed by Arshile Egoyan, “Whispers A Julian Lennon Retrospective,” featuring Julian Lennon and “No Choice” written by Cynthia Riddle and Julie Kohner and directed by Peter Hunziker.
The LA Shorts International Film Festival is accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, presenters of the Canadian Screen Awards and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Spain.
Sony Pictures Classics and Fathom Entertainment will release a filmed performance of the Broadway hit, “Merrily We Roll Along” in theaters on Dec. 5. The four-time Tony Award-winning musical is directed by Maria Friedman and stars Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez.
The modern iteration of “Merrily We Roll Along” first hit Broadway in 1981. Based on George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s ill-fated 1934 play of the same name, the 1981 edition updated the concept with a book by George Furth and original music from Stephen Sondheim. Spanning a diegesis of twenty years, the play tells the story of composer Franklin Shepard, who slowly estranges himself from his friends to make music for Hollywood films.
Maria Friedman brought the play back to Broadway with the current cast in 2023. Its opening broke the house record at the Hudson Theater and it went on to win Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical and Best Orchestrations.
Sony and Fathom expect to release the taped performance in theaters across the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and additional countries around the globe.
Streamland Media’s Ingenuity Studios has named veteran VFX supervisor Armen Kevorkian its new president.
Kevorkian, with over 26 years of experience, previously worked with Streamland CEO Bill Romeo at Encore VFX, helping establish and elevate the company. He has provided VFX supervision and management for high-profile clients and has directed episodes of “The Flash” and “Supergirl.” His work has earned him an Emmy Award, a VES Award, and multiple Leo Awards.
Bill Romeo stated, “We are thrilled to have Armen lead Ingenuity Studios in this next chapter of growth. His experience, expertise, and client relationships will guide the business as the entertainment industry continues to evolve. We set out to restructure the company to better fit the current industry landscape and put us in the best strategic position for the future.”
Kevorkian says, “This is an exciting time to join Ingenuity Studios and I’m looking forward to working with the talented artists and teams here. I’m ready to build on what already makes Ingenuity Studios great and take the business to the next level through strong client partnerships.”
New Regency has tapped former 20th Century Fox production executive Colin Greten as VP of Film. He will report to Natalie Lehmann, president of motion pictures and television. New Regency recently added Tesha Crawford as executive VP and head of international television.
“Colin is a sharp, forward-thinking executive with a strong creative sensibility and valuable industry experience,” said Lehmann. “As we continue to expand our slate and invest in bold, filmmaker-driven storytelling across platforms, Colin’s taste, relationships, and strategic approach make him an ideal fit for where we’re headed. We’re excited to have him join the team at such a dynamic moment for the company.”
New Regency’s upcoming projects include “Blood Meridian,” “Watch Dogs” and “Psycho Killer.”
Actress and producer Marsai Martin will serve as Creative Ambassador for the third annual HBCU First Look Film Festival, taking place this Nov. 6-8 at Howard University in Washington D.C. Festival President Sheila Eldridge states, “Marsai is an undeniable force leading the next generation of great storytellers. We’re thrilled to have her onboard not only to inspire the students but as a creative voice that will elevate the entire Festival experience.”
Martin rose to prominence for her role as Diane on ABC’s “Black-ish.” At age 14, she starred in and executive produced the film “Little,” becoming the youngest executive producer ever credited on a feature film in Hollywood. That same year, she started her production company, Genius Productions, and became the youngest individual to ever get a first-look deal Universal Studios. Most recently, she starred opposite Viola Davis and Anthony Anderson in the Amazon-MGM film, “G20.”
Martin will bring her perspectives as a visionary entrepreneur to HBCU First Look’s “Elevate Future Storytellers” program, kicking off the festival with a fireside chat with actress and comedian Loni Love. In a press release, Martin comments, “I’m excited to join forces with the HBCU First Look Film Festival. The opportunity to impact the HBCU creative community in a space curated just for them to level up is truly amazing.”
Sheila Eldridge founded the festival as a platform to inspire, elevate, and showcase the next generation of minority storytellers. Through screenings, workshops, networking, and events, the festival aims to be a celebration of Black filmmakers, rooted in the spirit of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
“To see the disability community featured so prominently on IMDb, our longtime partner, is incredibly impactful,” Nancy Weintraub, chief advancement officer of ESSC, said. “It helps us truly reflect the spirit of disability pride, recognizing the influence, voice and achievements of people with disabilities across industries, especially media.”
According to the CDC, 25% of U.S. residents or more than 70 million people across the country reported having a disability in 2022. The longtime partnership between IMDb and IMDbPro for their annual Easterseals Disability Film Challenge acknowledges professionals from the disability community who have also worked closely with IMDb. The collaboration features curated content in the IMDb Spotlight special section, including exclusive video interviews, photo galleries, lists, short films and more.
Members of IMDbPro can access the IMDbPro and Easterseals Disability Pride Month Spotlight, which is a list of professionals from the disability community that links to individual IMDbPro name pages, allowing members to learn more and contact them to collaborate on upcoming projects.
Additionally, IMDbPro gives members the choice to self-identify as a member of the disability community and control the display of this information on their IMDb and IMDbPro name pages as well as in IMDbPro search results. IMDbPro worked closely with ESSC and other organizations to develop this feature.
Nic Novicki, founder of the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, said, “This moment is about more than visibility. It’s about reshaping the industry from within and making sure disabled talent is recognized, hired and celebrated year-round.”
Fathom Entertainment and Paramount Pictures will commemorate the 75th anniversary of “Sunset Boulevard” with screenings in over 1,000 theaters nationwide on Aug. 3 and 4.
“Sunset Boulevard” was restored in 4K using a 35mm print from the Library of Congress, which was provided for color accuracy to honor Billy Wilder, the film’s director, with the original version. Additionally, the release features a new 5.1 audio mix produced by Deluxe Audio with support from New Zealand’s Park Road Post Production company.
The movie follows former Hollywood legend Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), who refuses to fade away from the spotlight. After meeting a struggling screenwriter, Joe Gillis (William Holden), she plans to make a comeback with his help. Originally released on Aug. 10, 1950, “Sunset Boulevard” was one of the first films selected for preservation in the National Film Registry and is ranked in the top 20 of the American Film Institute’s list of the Greatest American Films of All Time. Additionally, “Sunset Boulevard” was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, including best picture, and won three for best art direction, best music and best writing.
The film features performances by Erich von Stroheim and Nancy Olson, as well as cameo appearances by Cecil B. DeMille, gossip columnist Hedda Hopper and silent film actor Buster Keaton. “Sunset Boulevard’s” anniversary screening is a part of Fathom’s Big Screen Classics series. The summer movie-going event includes an introduction by cinema critic and historian Leonard Maltin, who discusses the landmark film and offers insight into the classic motion picture for each screening.
Upcoming screenings include “The Sound of Music 60th Anniversary” on Sept. 13-14 and 17 and “Rocky IV: Rocky vs Drago – The Ultimate Director’s Cut” on Nov. 5 and 9.
Netflix has released the Director’s Cut Red Band trailer for “Fixed,” a new animated film starring Adam Devine, Idris Elba, Kathryn Hahn, Fred Armisen, Bobby Moynihan, Beck Bennett, Michelle Buteau and River Gallo. The film will be released on Aug. 13.
The film is directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, who previously created projects such as “Samurai Jack,” “Dexter’s Laboratory,” “Primal,” and “Unicorn: Warriors Eternal.”
“Fixed” follows Bull, a slick and quick-witted mutt who discovers “his owners plan to neuter him after he’s caught mounting grandma one too many times, leading to an all-night adventure of a lifetime.”
“Bull is every man, he is lovable, funny, witty, and confident. Then at the same time, he is also nervous, shy, neurotic, and anxious. A complete human, as a dog. His journey is quite simple. He believes that his powers come from his dangly bits, but he learns that it is what is inside that is important,” said Tartakovsky.
“Fixed” is produced by Sony Pictures Animation.
Watch the trailer for “Fixed” below.
The 29th LA Shorts International Film Festival has announced its 2025 lineup. This year’s lineup will include 470 films from 34 countries, and will take place at the Regal Cinema LA LIVE from July 16 to July 28.
Notable entries for this year’s lineup include “A King’s Curtain” starring Austin Pendleton and Stephen McKinley Henderson, “Bottom’s Dream,” starring Nigel Lythgoe, “Helga” with Michael Gandolfini, “The Clock” with CCH Pounder and Wallace Shawn, “An Evening at Martini’s” with Mattias Ferrell, “Before They Joined Us” directed by Arshile Egoyan, “Whispers A Julian Lennon Retrospective,” featuring Julian Lennon and “No Choice” written by Cynthia Riddle and Julie Kohner and directed by Peter Hunziker.
The LA Shorts International Film Festival is accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, presenters of the Canadian Screen Awards and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Spain.
Sony Pictures Classics and Fathom Entertainment will release a filmed performance of the Broadway hit, “Merrily We Roll Along” in theaters on Dec. 5. The four-time Tony Award-winning musical is directed by Maria Friedman and stars Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez.
The modern iteration of “Merrily We Roll Along” first hit Broadway in 1981. Based on George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s ill-fated 1934 play of the same name, the 1981 edition updated the concept with a book by George Furth and original music from Stephen Sondheim. Spanning a diegesis of twenty years, the play tells the story of composer Franklin Shepard, who slowly estranges himself from his friends to make music for Hollywood films.
Maria Friedman brought the play back to Broadway with the current cast in 2023. Its opening broke the house record at the Hudson Theater and it went on to win Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical and Best Orchestrations.
Sony and Fathom expect to release the taped performance in theaters across the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and additional countries around the globe.
Streamland Media’s Ingenuity Studios has named veteran VFX supervisor Armen Kevorkian its new president.
Kevorkian, with over 26 years of experience, previously worked with Streamland CEO Bill Romeo at Encore VFX, helping establish and elevate the company. He has provided VFX supervision and management for high-profile clients and has directed episodes of “The Flash” and “Supergirl.” His work has earned him an Emmy Award, a VES Award, and multiple Leo Awards.
Bill Romeo stated, “We are thrilled to have Armen lead Ingenuity Studios in this next chapter of growth. His experience, expertise, and client relationships will guide the business as the entertainment industry continues to evolve. We set out to restructure the company to better fit the current industry landscape and put us in the best strategic position for the future.”
Kevorkian says, “This is an exciting time to join Ingenuity Studios and I’m looking forward to working with the talented artists and teams here. I’m ready to build on what already makes Ingenuity Studios great and take the business to the next level through strong client partnerships.”
New Regency has tapped former 20th Century Fox production executive Colin Greten as VP of Film. He will report to Natalie Lehmann, president of motion pictures and television. New Regency recently added Tesha Crawford as executive VP and head of international television.
“Colin is a sharp, forward-thinking executive with a strong creative sensibility and valuable industry experience,” said Lehmann. “As we continue to expand our slate and invest in bold, filmmaker-driven storytelling across platforms, Colin’s taste, relationships, and strategic approach make him an ideal fit for where we’re headed. We’re excited to have him join the team at such a dynamic moment for the company.”
New Regency’s upcoming projects include “Blood Meridian,” “Watch Dogs” and “Psycho Killer.”
Actress and producer Marsai Martin will serve as Creative Ambassador for the third annual HBCU First Look Film Festival, taking place this Nov. 6-8 at Howard University in Washington D.C. Festival President Sheila Eldridge states, “Marsai is an undeniable force leading the next generation of great storytellers. We’re thrilled to have her onboard not only to inspire the students but as a creative voice that will elevate the entire Festival experience.”
Martin rose to prominence for her role as Diane on ABC’s “Black-ish.” At age 14, she starred in and executive produced the film “Little,” becoming the youngest executive producer ever credited on a feature film in Hollywood. That same year, she started her production company, Genius Productions, and became the youngest individual to ever get a first-look deal Universal Studios. Most recently, she starred opposite Viola Davis and Anthony Anderson in the Amazon-MGM film, “G20.”
Martin will bring her perspectives as a visionary entrepreneur to HBCU First Look’s “Elevate Future Storytellers” program, kicking off the festival with a fireside chat with actress and comedian Loni Love. In a press release, Martin comments, “I’m excited to join forces with the HBCU First Look Film Festival. The opportunity to impact the HBCU creative community in a space curated just for them to level up is truly amazing.”
Sheila Eldridge founded the festival as a platform to inspire, elevate, and showcase the next generation of minority storytellers. Through screenings, workshops, networking, and events, the festival aims to be a celebration of Black filmmakers, rooted in the spirit of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.