Disney has re-released it's first episode of the Star Wars saga THE PHANTOM MENACE on it's 25th anniversary which became an instant hit all over again and brought in $1.5 million on the opening weekend, making it to #2 on the box office spot behind FALL GUY. With a further $287,480 on Monday from ticket sales the re-issue came to almost $1.85 million in total as addition to the $70.5 million from the original release. The combined figures push it back into the top 30 highest-grossing films of all time in the territory.

In addition to battle droids, podracers, Jar Jar, Darth Maul, and all of the Episode I goodness, fans will also be treated to an exclusive look at The Acolyte, the upcoming Disney+ series, as part of The Phantom Menace screenings. Also in celebration of the 25th anniversary of The Phantom Menace, fans will have the chance to experience the entire Skywalker Saga in theaters this May the 4th, also known as Star Wars Day. The Phantom Menace, Episode I of the Star Wars saga and the first film in the prequel trilogy, originally arrived in cinemas on May 19, 1999, following tremendous hype. Written and directed by George Lucas, it introduced the world to young Anakin Skywalker, Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, Queen Padmé Amidala, and the evil Sith duo, Darth Sidious and Darth Maul. The Phantom Menace would be a landmark in the development of visual effects and become one of the highest grossing movies of all time.

Visit the Official News on StarWars.com for Star Wars Episode I re-release.

The Cannes Film Festival is one of the oldest and largest film festival on the World and it is part of the 'Big Three' film festivals in Europe along with the Venice Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival.

The festival consist different parts:

The Official Selection: The main event of the festival.
In Competition – The films competing for the Palme d'Or. They are projected in the Théâtre Lumière.
Un Certain Regard – Films selected from cultures near and far; original and different works. They are projected at the Salle Debussy. The films competing for the Prix un certain regard.
Out of Competition – These films are selected to have Gala screenings at the Théâtre Lumière, but they do not compete for the main prize.
Midnight Screenings – These films are selected to have Gala screenings at the Théâtre Lumière during midnight, but they do not compete for the main prize.[44]
Cannes Premieres – These films are selected to be projected at the Salle Debussy, but they do not compete for the main prize.
Special Screenings – The selection committee chooses for these films an environment specially adapted to their particular identity.
Cinéfondation – About fifteen shorts and medium-length motion pictures from film schools over the world are presented at the Salle Buñuel.
Short Films – The shorts competing for the Short Film Palme d'Or are presented at Buñuel and Debussy theatres. There are approximately 10 films in this competition.
Cannes Classics – It celebrates the heritage of film, aiming to highlight works of the past, presented with brand new or restored prints.
Cinéma de la Plage – Screenings of Classic films and select new films for the mass public on Macé beach, preceded by a programme dedicated to film music.

Parallel Sections: These are alternative programmes dedicated to discovering other aspects of cinema.
International Critics' Week – Since 1962, it has focused on discovering new talents and showcasing first and second feature films by directors from all over the world.
Directors' Fortnight – Since 1969, it has cast its lot with the avant-garde, even as it created a breeding ground where the Cannes Festival would regularly find its prestigious auteurs.
ACID (Association for Independent Cinema and its Distribution)
Tous les Cinémas du Monde – It showcases the vitality and diversity of cinema across the world. Each day, one country is invited to present a range of features and shorts in celebration of its unique culture, identity and recent film works.

Events:
Marché du Film – The busiest film market in the world.
Masterclasses – Given in public by world-renowned filmmakers.
Tributes – Honors internationally renowned artists with the presentation of the Festival Trophee following the screening of one of their films.
Producers Network – An opportunity to make international co-productions.
Exhibitions – Each year, an artist, a body of work or a cinematographic theme becomes the focus of an exhibition that diversifies or illustrates the event's programme.

Please also visit the Official Website of the festival for more information

Filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof from Iran was sentenced to 8 years in prison and his properties confiscated by the government for creating and showing the film THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG that deals with an investigative judge in the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. In the film the judge, named Iman, grapples with mistrust as nationwide political protests intensified.

Mohammad Rasoulof in the past has repeatedly violated Iranian censorship rules and regulations with his film and was already given a three year sentence as well as banned from leaving the country or working with others from outside Iran. This time the government of Iran asked Rasoulof to pull his film from the competition at Cannes but he refused.

 His film THERE IS NO EVIL has won the top award at the 70th Berlin Film Festival where he received the award despite his absence from the event.

A new 4K restored and re-dubbed version of Director Tsui Hark's film SHANGHAI BLUES will be screened at the 77th Cannes Film Festival this year, however problems arise as Director Yang Fan stepped in stating the original story for the film was created by him therefore claiming rights to the story, also stating that no credit was given to him for this before. Letter from Mr.  Yang Fan's lawyer was sent to Director Tsui Hark's studio stating this claim. In 1983 Director Yang Fan authorized the making of the story into a 35mm film from the story without a verbal commitment and without a written contract. Yang Fan continued to point out that the legal rights protection action is not to file a lawsuit or claim compensation, but to reiterate his position. The matter is being resolved and regardless to this issue the screening of the film is still in plan to show the film at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.  Actress Sylvie Chang - who played one of the main roles in the film - will also appear during the screening and will address the crowed talking about her experiences working on the film.

Director Tsui Hark began working on a new film with collaboration with screen writer Anthony McCarten (films:  Bohemian Rhapsody, The Theory of Everything) to develop a new film based on the life of one of the most notorious woman pirate Shih Yang, who commanded a fleet of 1800 pirate ships and terrorized the South China Sea in the 1800s.

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The documentary film "Pai Niang Niang: The Last Osmanthus Blossom" 《白孃孃：一朶遲桂花》will be screened for free at the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) on May 29th, following its premiere at the Asian Pop Up Cinema.

Director Isabel Wong will personally attend the post-screening discussion! 

Rebecca Pan is an icon of the Hong Kong music world and one of the city's earliest boundary-pushing cultural pioneers. Her early career as a singer and her later success as an actress is well-known, but arguably the most important milestone of her oeuvre—the first ever Chinese-language musical, Pai Niang Niang (1972)—was thought to have not been captured on film and faded into obscurity. This work used the Broadway musical model to adapt the famous Chinese myth Legend of the White Snake. Bringing together Eastern and Western theatrical styles, the musical combined Chinese traditional music, dance, costume, and stage design with modern Western concepts. Despite this bold attempt, the work was ahead of its Ome and was not a commercial success.

Regarding music, Joseph Koo, who had returned from study abroad that year, was invited to participate in music creation. His contribution also led to the cooperation between Joseph Koo and James Wong, and they wrote their first piece, "If Loving You Means Hurting You." In April 2023, however, a partial film record of the performance was miraculously discovered. The restored surviving footage has become the finale of this documentary film, "Pai Niang Niang: The Last Osmanthus Blossom," bringing the saga to a flawless conclusion.

Free tickets and more information are available here: Free tickets & Information

Host: HKOS (Hong Kong On Screen)
Producer：Artcanteen 藝術糧倉
Acknowledgements： Rebecca Pan Productions 、One Cool Film Productions Ltd

In pre-production with collaboration is Director Tsui Hark and screen writer Anthony McCarten (writer for Bohemian Rhapsody and The Theory of Everything) the new film about China's greatest female pirate Shih Yang (aka Cheng I Sao) who dominated the South China Sea during the Qing Dynasty.

Born into poverty, she worked on a "flower boat" brothel where she met the notorious pirate leader Cheng Yi, joining him at sea. Upon his death in 1807, she assumed full command of the fearsome Red Flag Fleet, commanding over 1,800 pirate ships and an estimated 80,000 pirates. By comparison, Blackbeard commanded four ships and 300 pirates within the same century. Shih instigated sweeping reforms to the rules of piracy, ordering execution for rape or marital infidelity and insisting on equality between the sexes. Much of what is known in the West about her is due to the writings of an English diarist, Richard Glasspoole, who was captured by her and later formed a strong bond with her.

Get the book to read the full real story of Shih Yang: The Flower Boat Girl

Captain Richard Glasspoole who was captured by Shih Yang and the two ended up getting close. Captain Glasspoole wrote a short book (17 pages) about his captivity and working with the pirates, you can get his book here: Captain Richard Glasspoole's account

Check back as we have more to posts on this film added to update it.

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For its 10th edition, the Saudi Film Festival returns as a distinguished annual cultural event. Hosted by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), organized by the Saudi Cinema Association and supported by the Film Commission of the Ministry of Culture, the festival puts Saudi literary and cultural contributions to the film industry, filmmakers and talent from the Kingdom's cinema sector once again in the spotlight.

This edition of the festival has much to offer, including competitions that aim to develop the quality of screenplays and films. The festival is now expanding the scope of film screening programs to include a broader range of Arab and international productions as it serves as a platform for production companies, producers and filmmakers to support their projects in the production market. The festival programming now includes a wide array of enriching programs such as seminars and intensive workshops to elevate the Saudi filmmaking sector. Additionally, a selection of books will be translated and published as part of a series that aims to enrich the Arab library in the genres of filmmaking and cinema literature.

Please also visit the Official Website for more information

In our continued work to create spaces for expression, engagement, and empowerment, Visual Communications is proud to present the 40th edition of the VC FILM FEST (Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival) from May 1 to May 10, 2024. The Festival will feature a robust lineup of in-person programming, along with virtual programming for our audiences at home in Southern California and beyond.

Since 1983, the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival has presented over 5,000 films, videos, and digital mediaworks by Asian & Pacific Islander artists, and features seminars, panels, in-person guest appearances, and filmmaker awards. The Film Festival continues to be the largest festival of its kind in Southern California and is the premier showcase for the best and brightest of Asian Pacific cinema.

The VC Film Festival is a proud Academy Award®-qualifying film festival for Short Film Awards. Recipient(s) of the Film Festival's Golden Reel Award for Narrative/Animated Short Film will be eligible to submit in the Animated Short Film/Live-Action Short Film category of the Academy Awards

Please also visit the Official Website of the festival

UK Asian Film Festival (Tongues on Fire) is synonymous for championing South Asian feminist films and supporting pioneering artists and auteurs. The organisation was conceived of by Dr. Pushpinder Chowdhry MBE and Mrs Harvinder Nath, who both recognised the impact that films can have on society, particularly when tackling complex and challenging issues. Opening doors and providing a platform for emerging talent, independent film and arts with a link to South Asia.

All our activities are brought together by common values and a shared approach. We create and present high-quality activities that promotes the authentic voice of South Asian communities and reflects a genuine sense of place.

Some of our key aims include:
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- Bridging art, culture, health, and technology to herald the challenges of a world in motion
- Dismantling inequalities in the creative industries to readdress the balance
- Breaking barriers, taboos in South Asian communities and encourage open discussion
- Empowering the next generation through masterclasses and showcases
- Pioneering networking occasions to develop leaders and provide wider learning opportunities

Please also visit the Official Website for more information

Crossing lines, defying boundaries, and continuing to take on new challenges is the identity of the JEONJU International Film Festival. JEONJU IFF has constantly made efforts to expand the realm of film as an art form based on new methods of expression and borderless imagination. This year's slogan, "Beyond the Frame", continuing from last year, highlights the pioneering spirit of the festival, which has been breaking away from conventional film formats and screening methods to achieve cross-genre integration centered on film through programs, venues and festival events.

Please also visit the Official Website of the Jeonju International Film Festival

The Busan International Short Film Festival (BISFF)—Korea's most dynamic festival and a hub for Korean and international short films—is growing both domestically and internationally. As the festival celebrates its 41st anniversary, it looks forward to a brighter future spurred on by its past accomplishments. Whether independent and art films or commercial films thrive or decline, short films, the foundation of all cinematic endeavors, must exist as the core and base of cinema. Without the development of short films, which constitute cinema's past, present, and future, there will be no future for Korean cinema.

This year's BISFF identifies distinctive and artistically valuable short films created internationally and domestically through the International Competition, the Korean Competition, and Operation Kino. This year, "Cinema & Reality" is the festival's theme, which aims to explore whether films can connect with audiences in a continuously changing reality and whether films can offer a means of examining reality from an alternative angle.

Italy is the guest country for this year's BISFF. The Guest Country section will highlight Italian short films that have garnered significant public and critical attention recently. These short films offer an intimate approach to reality and experimentation with new cinematic language, demonstrating that Italian cinema strives to create new films and doesn't dwell on past glory.

Furthermore, the festival features distinctive films that explore a wide spectrum of cinematic possibilities, both artistically and technically. The Prism section showcases experimental films, 3D films, interactive films, and XR films. This section allows viewers to witness how the festival continues to innovate and explore new cinematic language. Furthermore, the Korean Shorts and the Hub of Asia sections showcase short films with complex narratives and a keen awareness of societal issues, highlighting a limitless cinematic potential. In addition, we have prepared various screenings and accompanying events, such as Curtain Call, where you can view the best short films from the world's top four film festivals, and roundtable discussions delving into film education beyond the institutional framework.

The 41st BISFF offers a wide range of programs for Korean and international audiences who are eager to rediscover cinema while sitting in a dark theater with strangers, especially at a time when cinema and theaters feel neglected. Your support and interest in the festival is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

Please visit the Official Website for more information

After the long lasting writers and actors strike in Hollywood, the Canadian Writers Guild has also already voted to go on strike if they don't come to an agreement with the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA). The writers guild already had an over 96% vote in favor for a strike if no resolutions are reached.

How this affects films and shows

Many shows and films are being produced in Canada therefore it could again affect shows viewed all around the world. Many shows and films produced by Hollywood also have parts of them created and filmed in Canada therefore those would also be affected.

The Canadian Writers - that consist 2500 members - asks for fair compensation for their work and set these forth in further contracts. One of the biggest threats for writers is AI and AI produced stories. The CMPA agrees that stories and scripts should be created by humans and not computers.

The U.S. writers strike lasted for 148 days, if the Canadian strikes also goes on for similar length of time, it will again affect the film and TV industry significantly.

More information can be obtained at the Official Website of the Writers Guild of Canada.

 The Cannes Film Festival has unveiled new additions to the Official Selection for its upcoming 77th edition from May 14 to May 25. Three new films have been added to the Competition lineup: Oscar-winning director Michel Hazanavicius' animated feature The Most Precious of Cargoes, Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof's Seed of the Sacred Fig and Emanuel Parvu's Three Miles to the End of the World.

The Artist skyrocketed Hazanavicius to international fame in 2011 as the film won best picture at the Academy Awards, and received 10 Oscar nominations and five wins. Hazanavicius for his latest film adapted the Second World War novel of the same title by Jean-Claude Grumberg that is set against the events of the Holocaust and told with magical realism.

Rasoulof is not expected to attend his Cannes premiere as the director a year ago was barred by Iranian authorities from leaving the country to attend the Cannes Film Festival to serve on the Un Certain Regard jury. In addition, a film adaptation of the classic novel The Count of Monte Cristo by directors Alexandre De La Patelliere and Matthieu Delaporte, and starring Pierre Niney, will debut out of competition in Cannes.

The French festival has also announced special screenings for Oliver Stone's Lula, a documentary about Brazilian leader Lula da Silva; Arnaud Desplechin's Spectators; Lou Ye's An Unfinished Film; and Tudor Giurgiu's Nasty. And in the Cannes Premiere sidebar, the festival has added Gael Morel's Vivre, Mourir, Renaitre and Jessica Palud's Maria.

Cannes also announced that When the Light Breaks, by director Rúnar Rúnarsson, will open the Un Certain Regard section on May 15, while Céline Sallette's debut feature Niki and Gints Zilbalodis' Flow have been added to that section.

The 77th Cannes Festival kicks off May 14 with Quentin Dupieux's The Second Act starring Léa Seydoux and Vincent Lindon. It runs through May 24.

Please also visit the Official Website of the Cannes Film Festival for more information.

The Academy of Motion Picture Ars and Sciences has published new rules for qualifying for awards starting next year. While the biggest change is the expansion of the theatrical requirements for Best Picture, there are other highlights of note, that includes animated feature films submitted for Best International Feature Film now being able to also submit for Best Animated Feature Film if eligibility requirements outlined for both categories are met. There's also a new eligibility period for the Best International Feature Film - November 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024 - and Best Original Score now allowing three composers to receive individual statuettes if, in rare circumstances, they all contributed fully to the score. Plus, the screenplay categories now require a final shooting script to be part of submissions and a handful of overall name changes and/or clarifications for some of the awards The Academy hands out at the separate Governors Awards and Scientific and Technical Awards ceremonies.

Similarly, The Academy also updated and clarified formatting and language in the campaign promotional regulations for the 97th Oscars. Much of what was instated last year in wake of the "To Leslie" campaign scandal still stands, with the campaign promotional regulations specifying motion picture companies and individuals directly associated with Oscars-eligible motion pictures may promote such motion pictures, achievements, and performances to Academy members and how Academy members may promote Oscars-eligible motion pictures, achievements, and performances. (See the full list of rules and regulations for the 97th Academy Awards here.)

To elaborate on the theatrical requirement changes, the easiest thing to first highlight is that drive-in theaters will no longer be a means of qualification-one of the last vestiges of adaptations made during the peak of COVID-19.

Please also visit the Official Website of the Motion Pictures Academy for more information

George Lucas, the iconic filmmaker behind the "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" franchises, will receive the Honorary Palme d'Or on May 25 during the Closing ceremony of the 77th Cannes Film Festival.

So far  moviegoers have repeatedly shown that they are willing to return to theaters for quality content and altogether skip any content that is not deemed theater-worthy. The driving demand for premium large-format screens -- like Imax's curved, giant displays; Dolby's luxe auditoriums; or ScreenX's 270-degree screens that extend projection onto three walls. Even more immersive movie experiences, although still niche, appear to be growing. D-Box puts you in a moving, haptic seat, usually positioned in a prime location of an otherwise standard auditorium. More intense formats like 4DX and MX4D build upon motion chairs with blasts of air, water and fog, even scent effects and haptics that "tickle" or "punch."

D-Box is among the most prevalent, present in more than 800 auditoriums globally, including a large partnership with Cinemark, the No. 3 US chain behind AMC and Regal. In a world with about 200,000 total movie screens, 800 is a sliver. But Cinemark's D-Box revenues climbed 25% in the third quarter compared with the same period pre-pandemic in 2019, even though the overall box office was down 32%.

So far, audiences are favoring these formats for tent-pole releases that make the best use of a huge screen and top-notch sound. But with studios pivoting toward franchise extravaganzas, they're moving away from the "little movies" that used to show on the eighth, ninth or 10th screen at any location.

Kevin Costner's HORIZON, AN AMERICAN SAGA has been selected at Cannes to be the film to play out of competition this year. The Cannes Film Festival celebrates its 77th year and is considered one of the oldest and most important film festivals in the world, it will run from 14 - 25 May 2024.

The first chapter of "Horizon" will debut at the French film festival on May 19, giving the world its first glimpse of Costner's ambitious Western epic. The first two parts of "Horizon" are set to open in quick succession this summer, with Warner Bros. releasing chapter one in theaters June 28 and the second installment on Aug. 16.

"It's been 20 years since I've had the pleasure of being on the Croisette," Costner said in a statement. "I've been waiting for the right time to return and I'm proud to say that this time has come."

"The French have always supported films and believed deeply in filmmaking," added Costner. "Just as I believe deeply in my film."

"Horizon," which will screen out of competition at Cannes, is directed by Costner and stars him, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington and Jena Malone.

The 77th Cannes Film Festival runs May 14-25. George Miller's "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga," also from Warner Bros., was recently announced as another high-profile premiere at Cannes. The full lineup will be announced Thursday.

GODZILLA X KONG: The New Empire continues leading the global box office with $361.1 million worldwide in two weeks, "Godzilla x Kong" could ultimately leapfrog the $529 million global haul of 2014's "Godzilla.", it also more than doubled the second film behind the DreamWorks studio produced KUNG FU PANDA 4.  The Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures release, directed by Adam Wingard, has thus far outperformed any of the studio's recent monster films except for 2014's "Godzilla." The latest installment, in which Godzilla and Kong team up, cost about $135 million to produce.

Hong Kong's CineFan Club released its new program for the months of May/Jun/Jul which will feature Aki Kaurismäki Finnish film director's film along with little know artist Godfrey Reggio and the 1960s and 1970s inspired films of psychedelic cinema. Please go to our event posts for more information about the program: Click here