Latest news with #SXSWFestival
Arab News
01-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Film Commission showcases cultural power of Saudi cinema at London festival
RIYADH: The Kingdom's Film Commission is participating in the first European edition of the SXSW Festival, which is being held in London from June 2-7, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The event is a global platform that brings together professionals and experts from various creative sectors through events such as panel discussions, musical and comedy performances, film and TV screenings, exhibitions, competitions, and networking opportunities. As part of its participation the commission will screen a selection of short Saudi films under the Saudi Film Nights initiative, aiming to showcase the Kingdom's storytelling and promote national talent to international audiences. It is also organizing a panel called 'Empowering the Film Industry in Saudi Arabia: From Vision to Reality,' which will explore cinema's role in shaping national identity, preserving cultural heritage, and supporting local content as a form of soft power. The commission will highlight the Kingdom's cinematic achievements through an exhibition at the country's pavilion featuring films that have sold more than 250,000 tickets, participated in top international festivals, or won global awards — underscoring the growth and international rise of the Saudi film industry. The commission forms a part of the Saudi pavilion alongside other creative sector entities, including the Music Commission, Culinary Arts Commission, and Fashion Commission, presenting a broad view of the Kingdom's cultural diversity. This participation reaffirms the Film Commission's commitment to expanding Saudi Arabia's global presence, empowering creative talent, and positioning the Kingdom as a regional leader in cinema.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Southbox Entertainment, FinTech Pioneer & Entrepreneur Jon Gosier Join Psychological Thriller The Dutchman as Financing Partner
Critically Acclaimed Film Premiered at this year's SXSW Festival ATLANTA, May 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlanta-based film and television financing firm Southbox Entertainment has joined the upcoming psychological thriller The Dutchman as a financing partner, with its founder, Jon Gosier, stepping in as Executive Producer. A renowned tech entrepreneur and financier, Gosier is widely recognized for bridging the gap between Silicon Valley innovation and Hollywood storytelling, and this latest venture reinforces his growing impact on the entertainment industry. The Dutchman, directed and produced by Andre Gaines, is a gripping adaptation of Amiri Baraka's explosive 1964 Obie Award-winning play. Co-written by Gaines and Qasim Basir, the film features a standout cast including André Holland, Kate Mara, Zazie Beetz, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Aldis Hodge, and Lauren E. Banks. It made its world premiere at the 2025 SXSW Festival, earning widespread critical acclaim. The film tells the story of Clay, a successful Black businessman navigating an identity crisis, who encounters Lula, a mysterious white woman, in a psychologically charged encounter on a New York subway. The narrative is a haunting exploration of race, power, and societal tension—brought to life with urgent relevance for today's audiences. Jon Gosier, a former TED Fellow and one of TIME Magazine's 2015 Top Innovators, brings a rare blend of tech expertise, investment acumen, and creative sensibility to every project he touches. With his background in data science and venture capital, Gosier has become a pioneer in rethinking how films are financed, democratizing access to capital, and empowering underrepresented voices in entertainment. "Southbox was founded to be more than a checkbook—it's a strategic partner that sits at the intersection of tech, culture, and creativity," said Gosier. "By leading with early-stage equity and co-structuring deals, we unlock the potential for powerful, meaningful stories like The Dutchman to be fully realized." In 2023, Southbox announced an $80 million equity fund to support high-quality, socially resonant projects. This partnership with The Dutchman reflects that mission in action, as does the participation of FilmHedge, the debt financing platform Gosier also founded. "I'm thrilled to support Andre Gaines and this remarkable cast in bringing The Dutchman to the screen," added Gosier. "It's a daring and necessary story that exemplifies why Southbox exists—to fuel stories that challenge, inspire, and resonate." "Jon's pioneering approach to financing and his vision for elevating culturally significant work made him the ideal partner," said director/producer Andre Gaines. "We're honored to have Southbox on board and look forward to future collaborations." About Southbox Entertainment LLCSouthbox Entertainment is a film and television financing company based in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded by visionary tech investor and entrepreneur Jon Gosier, Southbox empowers storytellers through early-stage equity financing. As a sister company to FilmHedge, Southbox is helping redefine the future of entertainment finance—bridging Wall Street, Hollywood, and the innovation economy. Contact:Andrea Hoffman***@ Photo(s): Press release distributed by PRLog View original content: SOURCE Culture Shift Labs
Metro
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
'Chilling' horror film with 100% RT rating heading to streaming service
A 'chilling' horror film with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes rating will soon be available to stream at home. Good Boy, directed by Ben Leonard, created a storm when it screened at this year's SXSW Festival, earning a flurry of glowing reviews. This is not to be confused with Viljar Bøe's shocking psychological thriller of the same name, or the K-drama heading to Amazon Prime Video this month. Leonard's ghostly flick is a haunted house film with a twist – it is told entirely from the perspective of a dog, finally answering the question as to why man's best friend sometimes barks at seemingly empty spaces. Indy is the focus of the tale, a lovable pooch who relocates to the home of owner Todd's (Shane Jensen) grandfather (Larry Fessenden) after Todd becomes sick. The house is said to be haunted, something the duo soon come to realise is far from a terrifying story to tell around a campfire as they begin experiencing increasingly sinister paranormal phenomena. A synopsis reads: 'Do you ever wonder why your dog stares at empty corners, barks for no reason, or refuses to go into the basement? 'Good Boy is the story of a dog who sees everything that goes bump in the night. No talking pets, just terrifying scares.' Shudder has acquired the rights to Good Boy, meaning it will be available to stream through the service via Amazon Prime Video. A release date has not yet been announced. Speaking to Deadline, Amy Beecroft, head of Verve Ventures, who negotiated the deal, said: 'We immediately recognised the immense potential of Leonberg's debut and are thrilled to strike this deal with Shudder.' Emily Gotto, SVP of Acquisitions and Production for Shudder, said in a statement: 'Ben Leonberg's debut is a singular experience in perspective-driven horror. Told entirely through the eyes of Indy, a devoted dog whose terror and determination to save his human become our own, the film delivers a haunting and emotional experience that introduces a surprising standout performance from Indy and a strikingly assured first feature from Leonberg.' Film critics have dubbed Good Boy 'one of the best horror films so far this year', leading to its 100% rating thus far. IndieWire wrote: 'What could have easily been a cheap gimmick instead provides the foundation for one of the best horror films so far this year.' More Trending Bloody Disgusting said: 'Leonberg crafts a thoughtful, unnerving, and heartrending portrayal of how utterly terrifying it can be for a dog when his whole world is upended and he's unable to understand why.' The Hollywood Reporter heaped praise on the canine actor playing Indy, writing: 'What comes across most strongly, and gives the film its emotional power, is Indy's unfailing loyalty to his beloved owner and his willingness do practically anything to protect him.' Meanwhile, Dread Central warned: 'Don't let the gimmick fool you; Good Boy is primed to be one of the most chilling movies of 2025.' Good Boy will be available to stream on Shudder via Amazon Prime Video Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: First trailer launches for 'demented' new horror movie with 100% Rotten Tomatoes score MORE: Netflix viewers have just days left to watch dark horror comedy 'better than Scream' MORE: The eight best sci-fi series of all-time according to Rotten Tomatoes
Metro
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Kevin Bacon performs song from his classic 80s film weeks after 'banning' it
Kevin Bacon recently declared he would not be getting 'footloose' any time soon, only to belt the classic 80s song a month later. The American actor banned the lead track to the 1984 film after being asked to dance 'like a monkey' too many times. Footloose saw him play Ren McCormack – a Chicago teenager who tries to overturn a ban on dancing in a small Utah town. Kenny Loggins sang the track, which became an international hit, while the music video featured Kevin, 66, and his dance moves. He previously revealed that it is his 'nightmare' that Footloose might begin to play while he's unsuspectingly enjoying his life. Despite his protesting, Kevin not only played the song but sang it himself while at Stagecoach Festival in California over the weekend. The Bacon Band performed Footloose with Kevin on vocals and tambourine and his brother Michael on guitar. Fans were shocked to hear the track sung so soon after the Tremors actor begged for a break from it. While at SXSW Festival in March, Kevin told the crowd: 'My worst nightmare is to be at a wedding and the DJ puts on Footloose. They always start out being about the bride, and then there's alcohol involved. 'And by about 10:30, the song comes on, and suddenly the wedding becomes about me getting out and dancing. People will literally form a circle around me and clap their hands like I'm a trained monkey.' He's even gone to the extent of approaching DJs early at events like weddings and parties to try to politely stop the tune from rearing its head. He confessed that he has 'no one to blame' but himself, as he 'wanted' the fame and global recognition. Footloose was a major success, becoming the seventh highest-grossing film of 1984, and while it wasn't his first role, it became Kevin's best known. 'It was definitely my dream to have all those things,' he told the audience at SXSW. 'But until you really have that, you don't really realise there's something kind of strange about it – it was just so the opposite of how I wanted to view myself.' His feelings aren't from a dislike of the film or the song, which he said he loves and is '100% proud of. After 40 years of being asked to dance on command, we can imagine it gets old. More Trending This isn't the first time the actor has expressed frustration at the Footloose expectations, as he confessed to Metro last year he 'doesn't know' what the dance actually is. Kevin remarked he has become slightly irritated by people asking him to perform it – a precursor to his banning He said: 'When people say, 'Do the Footloose dance,' I don't know what the Footloose dance is. I was on a red carpet recently – a couple of people [asked me] 'Will you do the Footloose dance?' And I'm like, 'No!' 'I'll do that when I choose to do it.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Devastating news for 80s and 90s kids — this childhood staple is going extinct MORE: Frasier star reveals humble reason why he turned down reappearing on the show 'several times' MORE: Shoppers go wild as retro favourite sweet from 80s returns to supermarkets
CNN
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Paul Feig just made a startling comparison between his female-led hit ‘Bridesmaids' and ‘The Hangover'
Director Paul Feig is reflecting on the immense pressure he faced just ahead of the release of his Oscar-nominated hit 'Bridesmaids.' Feig – who is set to release his latest movie, the sequel 'Another Simple Favor' starring Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick this spring – was at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas on Friday, where he talked about how so much was hinging on the success, or failure, of the 2011 comedy. 'So many female writer friends of mine were going out and pitching female-led comedies, and they all heard from the studios: 'We have to wait and see how 'Bridesmaids' does,'' Feig said, per Variety. 'I was like, 'F**k! Don't put that on me. Am I gonna ruin movies for women?'' he remembered thinking at the time. Feig also made an interesting comparison to a male-led comedy from two years prior, saying, 'I don't think with 'The Hangover' they said, 'I'm gonna wait to see all these dudes on screen before we do this again.' But thank god it did well.' 'Bridesmaids' starred Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy and Rose Byrne, and went on to snag Oscar nods for best supporting actress for McCarthy as well as best original screenplay for writers Wiig and Annie Mumolo. The film also ended up grossing close to $300 million, but right up until the weekend of its theatrical release, Feig described how he was kept guessing. 'Right 'til the day we came out, we were predicted to not do well,' Feig said this week. 'We were told, 'You have to make $20 million on opening weekend, or you will be considered a failure.' And we did a midnight screening the night before that didn't go well. They were like, 'It's gonna be $13 million. Sorry, it's a bomb.' All day, I was walking around, like, 'I guess I destroyed comedy for women.'' When he finally got the good news regarding 'Bridesmaids'' success, he was in good company. 'Melissa McCarthy and (her husband and 'Bridesmaids' costar) Ben Falcone were over at our house for dinner, and suddenly, (we got) the texts: '20 million. 21. 22.' So we all got in the car. We went down to the (Los Angeles cineplex) ArcLight Cinema and it was packed. It was the greatest moment of our lives.'
