All set for 73rd Berlin International Film Festival

The 73rd Berlin International Film Festival will open on February 16, 2023 with the world premiere of the US production ‘She Came to Me’. The romantic comedy by director and screenwriter Rebecca Miller boasts a cast of international stars that includes Peter Dinklage, Marisa Tomei, Joanna Kulig, Brian d’Arcy James and Anne Hathaway. The delightful comedy about love in all its forms weaves together the tales of a charming cast of characters living in the romantic, bustling metropolis of New York City. Composer Steven Lauddem (Peter Dinklage) is creatively blocked and unable to finish the score for his big comeback opera. At the behest of his wife Patricia (Anne Hathaway), formerly his therapist, he sets out in search of inspiration. What he discovers is much more than he bargained for, or imagined. However, the movie will screen out of competition as a Berlinale Special Gala at the Berlinale Palast. The festival had earlier announced a line-up of 18 movies—very international and arthouse-heavy movies that will compete for the coveted Gold and Silver bear at this edition of Berlinale.

Commenting on the opening film, Berlinale directors Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian said “We are very pleased to open this festival edition with an irresistible comedy that builds upon the everyday conflicts of western society. The characters, conceived by Rebecca Miller and incarnated by fantastic actors choose to follow the inspiration of the moment instead of being led by societal dictates. Like a pre-code Hollywood film, ‘She Came to Me’ is a magical ode to the freedom of expression”. Director and screenwriter Rebecca Miller was most recently a guest at the Berlinale in 2016 with the Panorama film Maggie’s Plan, after her film The Private Lives of Pippa Lee screened in Competition in 2009. ‘She Came to Me’ was produced by Damon Cardasis, Pamela Koffler, Christine Vachon, Rebecca Miller, Len Blavatnik and Anne Hathaway.

2023 Pan African Film and Arts Festival Ongoing In LA
THE 2023 edition of the Pan African Film and Arts Festival opened on February 9 in Los Angeles and will run until February 20. The festival is taking place at both the Cinemark Baldwin Hills & XD and Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. The PAFF presents and showcases a broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes of Africans and African Americans. This year’s Pan African Film & Arts Festival features more than 150 films from 40 countries, in 19 languages, including 50-World and 22-North American premieres. Of the films selected for the festival, 39% are helmed by female, queer or non-binary filmmakers. The fine arts exhibition that is part of the film festival features more than 100 established and emerging fine artists and quality craftspeople from all over the Black Diaspora. In its 31st edition, the festival opened with a star-studded red carpet gala hosted by the festival’s 2023 celebrity host—NFL-Pro turned actor Thomas Jones. The opening film was ‘Chevalier’, inspired by the incredible story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges.

The son of an enslaved African woman and a French plantation owner, Bologne, played by Kelvin Harrison Junior in a tour de force performance, rises to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) herself and her court. ‘Chevalier’ is directed by Stephen Williams and stars Kelvin Harrison Junior, Samara Weaving and Lucy Boynton. The film is written by Stefani Robinson and features music by Kris Bowers. Each year, PAFF screens more than 150 films made by and/or about people of African descent from around the world. PAFF holds the distinction of being the largest Black History Month event in America. Also, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has designated PAFF as an official qualifying film festival for live action and animation short films. Information on PAFF can be sourced at www. PAFF.org or email info@paff.org.

New deadline Announced For Durban Filmmart Pitch Forum
THE Durban FilmMart institute has announced new deadline of Monday February 20 for submission of applications for its annual pitch and finance forum held as part of Durban FimMart. Each year, through an open application process and two independent selection panels, the Durban FilmMart Institute selects 20 official African fiction and documentary projects in development to present to a panel of potential co-producers, sales agents, broadcasters and film funds. The Pitch and Finance Forum consists of public pitching, one on one meetings with decision makers and individual mentorship leading up to the market. Projects participating in the Pitch and Finance Forum are selected for awards which includes cash prizes, entry into international labs and pitching platforms and further mentorship. 
Additional information on the pitch and film finance project can be sourced from info@durbanfilmmart.com