HERPERS, Directed by Dav Kaufman, Gets Distribution Deal

Victory Multimedia will distribute the first feature documentary on reptile culture

Minnesota filmmaker Dav Kaufman recently sold his latest film, the documentary HERPERS, to Victory Multimedia in Los Angeles. The niche film about the reptile culture in the U.S. will be available through Blockbuster, Barnes & Noble and libraries throughout the U.S. and Canada. In May 2010 it will also be available on Netflix and through Redbox locations.

HERPERS, which borrows its name from "Herpetoculture," a term used to describe keeping reptiles and amphibians as pets, examines reptile culture and features interviews with breeders, enthusiasts and celebrities, including guitarist Slash and Chad Brown of the New England Patriots. The film was shot in 2008 and features many Minnesota locations, including the Minnesota Renaissance Festival and the Minnesota Herpetological Society at the University of Minnesota.

To promote the film, Kaufman embarked on a 25,000 mile marketing and sales tour in May 2009. The film screened at reptile expos and shows throughout the country, including the National Reptile Breeders Expo in Daytona Beach and Repticon in Memphis.

A sequel that will highlight global reptile culture is in the works. To watch the trailer or order a DVD, visit www.herpersmovie.com.

Women Stand Up and Shoot!

Women Stand Up! and IFP-MN sponsor a comedic film competition for women.

WOMEN STAND UP AND SHOOT promotes and encourages women writers, actors and directors in film comedies. Films will be screened at Bryant Lake Bowl Theater in May 2010. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place.

Deadline for submission is April 21, 2010.

Eligibility Guidelines:
1. Films must have a femaie writer or director
2. Films must feature a female lead or leads
3. Films must be comedic
4. Films can't be longer than 10 minutes.

The winners will be determined by a special panel of MN-bred comedians. Lizz Winstead, a wirter adn comedian, a founding member of Air America Radio and co-creator of Comedy Central's The Daily Show; Mary Jo Pehl, one of the original writers for Mystery Science Theater 3000, which aired on Comedy Central and the Sci-Fi Channel, and a writer for Minnesota Monthly; Jackie Kashian, a stand-up comedian who has toured nationally for over 14 years, appeared on CBS, NBC and the nationally-syndicated radio/TV show Bob and Tom and has a half-hour special on Comedy Central.

For details on how to submit your entry, go to IFP-MN's website.

Questions? Contact Lu Lippold at IFP-MN (llippold@ifpmn.org or 651-644-1912 x106) or Dana Buchwald (womenstandupand shoot@gmail.com or 612-384-7793).

A SERIOUS MAN Nominated for Best Picture Oscar

Joel Coen and Ethan Coen also nominated for Best Original Screenplay.

A SERIOUS MAN, produced, directed and written by Joel & Ethan Coen and released by Focus Features, received nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.

A SERIOUS MAN shot for 44 days during the fall of 2008 in locations throughout the Twin Cities metro, including Bloomington, Edina, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Roseville. The production brought just over $6 million to the local economy and employed 130 Minnesotans in crew positions. Hundreds of Minnesotan actors played key roles or worked as extras in the film set in suburban Minnesota in 1967.

To date, the film has received numerous awards, including the Robert Altman Award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, Best Screenplay from the National Society of Film Critics, Best Original Screenplay from the Writers Guild of America and was named one of the year's best pictures by the American Film Institute.

The feature marked the first professional return of the Coens to their home state since FARGO, which was also nominated for Best Picture of 1996. Frances McDormand won an Oscar for Best Actress In a Leading Role for her portrayal of Marge Gunderson and Joel & Ethan Coen won Oscars for Best Original Screenplay.

Bloomington Native Nominated For Academy Awards for UP

Pete Docter, originally from Bloomington, MN, was nominated for two Academy Awards for his work on UP, the animated feature film from Pixar Studios that to date has grossed over $725 million worldwide.

Docter is in contention in the Best Animated Feature Film category for his work directing the film and also for Best Original Screenplay.

UP received a total of five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It is only the second animated film to compete for Best Picture (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST was nominated in 1991).

LIFE DURING WARTIME Acquired By IFC Films

The feature was produced by MN production company Werc Werk Works.

As posted on the movie site Dark Horizons:

IFC Films has acquired U.S. rights to Todd Solodnz's "Life During Wartime" which won the best screenplay award at the Venice International Film Festival last year says the trades.

A quasi-sequel to the filmmaker's 1998 "Happiness," the film stars Shirley Henderson, Ciaran Hinds, Allison Janney, Michael Lerner, Charlotte Rampling, Ally Sheedy and Michael Kenneth Williams.

The film will be distributed during the summer via the IFC in Theaters platform, which releases movies simultaneously in theaters and on VOD.

Minneapolis Team Wins Best Film in 24 Hour Film Race

The short "Blowing Bubbles" finished first overall.

Team X from Minneapolis (Vaughn Juares, Bridget McGrath, Jack Paar, Michael Nissen, Jasmine Reid, Dirk Cannon and Joe Schneider)  won the national competition for the 24Hour Film Race project with their short “Blowing Bubbles.”

The team won 11 out of 16 awards in Minneapolis, including Best Film, and moved on to the national competition, where they won Best Film Overall.

Film Racing is a nationwhide competition dedicated to providing a rewarding compeition for filmmakers, providing winners with prizes and exposure in the filmmaking industry. Teams are challenged to create original short films under the time constraint of 24 hours. In 2009, the contest visited 20 U.S. cities

MFTVB Announces Third Annual Gala

The Greenlight Gala will be Saturday, May 22, 2010

Our third annual gala fundraiser is moving to May! The gala, on Saturday, May 22, will be at Nicollet Island Pavilion. Celebrate the arrival of spring with spectacular views of the Mississippi, downtown Minneapolis and the Stone Arch Bridge from a garden terrace and patio at sunset. And, as always, enjoy the company of industry professionals, filmmakers, friends of MFTVB, movers, shakers and bon vivants. Be sure to save the date!

Feature Film HOWL Going to 2010 Sundance Film Festival

Minneapolis-based production company Werc Werk Work's feature film HOWL was accepted into dramatic competition at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. It will compete against 15 other films.

HOWL, written and directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, is a "nonfiction drama" about how Allen Ginsberg created the eponymous poem and the subsequent landmark obscenity trial.

The film stars James Franco, David Strathairn, Jon Hamm, Mary-Louise Parker and Jeff Daniels.  Sundance, considered to be the world's main event for independent American cinema, takes place January 21-31st in Park City, Utah.

Minneapolis City Council Votes To Preserve Cultural Arts Coordinator

Thank you to all who voiced their concern to City Hall!

Late last evening the Minneapolis City Council passed the 2010 city budget.  Among the many amendments to Mayor Rybak's proposed budget which passed before its adoption was one that preserved the Cultural Arts Coordinator position currently held by Matthew James. 

The position was preserved due to the leadership of Council Member Gary Schiff, who proposed the amendment to use funds earmarked for a city planning position which was not going to be filled during 2010 to preserve the Arts Coordinator position.    

Thanks to all who communicated your concern about the loss of this position to City Hall.  There is no doubt that the advocacy effort was effective in raising awareness about the negative economic and cultural impact of eliminating the position!!

To thank Councilman Schiff for his leadership on this issue, please e-mail gary.schiff@ci.minneapolis.mn.us.

Senator Richard Cohen Appointed to President Obama's Committee On The Arts And Humanities

Minnesota State Senator Richard Cohen, longtime supporter of Minnesota's film and production community, was recently appointed by President Obama to the Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Senator Cohen is current Chair of the Finance Committee. He also serves on the boards of the Tyrone Guthrie Theater and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Formerly, he was the chairman of the Arts, Tourism and Cultural Resources Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures, and this year he received the Public Leadership in the Arts Award from the Americans for the Arts.

MPG Online Now Open to Actors!

For the first time, the MN Production Guide is open to MN acting talent!

MPG Online now features a category for "Actors" under the heading "Talent/Casting/Agents."

Minnesota actors are able to create profiles, including contact information for their agencies if they have representation, that highlight their abilities and credits.

A standard listing includes the ability to link to other websites or social networking sites, create a list of acting credits and post up to 9 images.

A premium listing ads on the ability to post up to 36 images and a video or reel.

A listing in the Guide gives actors more visibility online, even if they do not have a personal website. A log-in system allows users to alter their listing or add information at any time.