Tag: Film Business

Film Business, Filmmaker Spotlight, Oscars, Short Film

OSCAR CONTENDING DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT – Tom Koch on OLIVE “In the edit, through Lesley Ann Warren’s performance, I realized something even more powerful”

The awards season is heating up, and among the standout contenders is a deeply affecting short film that has quietly become a festival favorite. With its poignant narrative, elegant direction, and a powerhouse performance from the legendary Lesley Ann Warren, OLIVE is more than just a film, it’s a meditation on love, memory, and the human spirit. At the heart of OLIVE is filmmaker Tom Koch, a rising … Continue reading OSCAR CONTENDING DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT – Tom Koch on OLIVE “In the edit, through Lesley Ann Warren’s performance, I realized something even more powerful”

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Awards Season, Film Review, Live action short

OSCAR CONTENDING SERIES – The Mourning Of: A Quiet Triumph of Grief and Grace

By Jane Fitzgerald The award-winning short film The Mourning Of has officially qualified for the 2026 Academy Awards®, marking a milestone in its remarkable journey through international film festivals. Written and directed by Mexican-American filmmaker Merced Elizondo, The Mourning Of tells the story of Maribel, a young woman mourning the tragic loss of her mother in an unusual way, by secretly attending the funerals of … Continue reading OSCAR CONTENDING SERIES – The Mourning Of: A Quiet Triumph of Grief and Grace

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Awards Season, Live action short, Short Film

OSCAR CONTENDING DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT – Daniel Persitz on the True Story Behind KEY OF GENIUS

Daniel Persitz paints a powerful portrait of virtuoso pianist Derek Paravicini in Key of Genius. Blind and autistic since birth, Derek communicates through music with astonishing fluency, and the film, based on Adam Ockelford’s memoir In the Key of Genius, captures not only his extraordinary gift but also the transformative mentorship that shaped it. Oscar-qualified after screenings at Cleveland, HollyShorts, Raindance, and the Los Angeles Diversity … Continue reading OSCAR CONTENDING DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT – Daniel Persitz on the True Story Behind KEY OF GENIUS

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Awards Season, Live action short, Short Film

OSCAR CONTENDING DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT – The Mourning Of’s Merced Elizondo “I underestimated the power of grief”

Fresh off its Oscar® qualification, The Mourning Of has emerged as one of the most powerful short films of the season, a deeply intimate exploration of grief, healing, and the unspoken rituals that bind families across generations. Written and directed by Mexican-American filmmaker Merced Elizondo, the award-winning film has captivated audiences worldwide with its quiet emotional resonance and cultural specificity, while breaking ground as a rare Latino-led, independently … Continue reading OSCAR CONTENDING DIRECTOR SPOTLIGHT – The Mourning Of’s Merced Elizondo “I underestimated the power of grief”

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Awards Season, BAFTA, Film Review, Films, Live action short, Short Film, TIFF

OSCAR CONTENDER SERIES – Dust to Dreams: Idris Elba and Mo Abudu Redefine African Storytelling at TIFF

By Jane Fitzgerald When Idris Elba steps behind the camera, audiences expect artistry that resonates as deeply as his performances. With Dust to Dreams, his latest directorial venture in collaboration with Nigerian superproducer Mo Abudu, Elba delivers a tender, musical meditation on love, legacy, and reconciliation, set against the vibrant backdrop of Lagos. Selected for the Toronto International Film Festival’s Short Cuts program, the film underscores … Continue reading OSCAR CONTENDER SERIES – Dust to Dreams: Idris Elba and Mo Abudu Redefine African Storytelling at TIFF

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