Latest news with #Shyne
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Margaret Mead Film Festival Offers New Yorkers a Chance to See Acclaimed Docs Without Distribution
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Given the risk-averse economics of the current documentary business, it has become hard for audiences to find a place to see some of the most acclaimed docs out of film festivals, including Sundance, TIFF, and the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam. Mainstream streaming services' lack of interest in not only political documentaries, but practically all independent doc fare, has made regional film festivals, like the annual Margaret Mead Film Festival, vital to the life of a nonfiction film. This year's edition of the Margaret Mead festival kicks off on May 2 at Manhattan's American Museum of Natural History. The three-day event includes the New York debut of 15 documentaries, many of which do not have U.S. distribution. They include Olivier Sarbil's 'Viktor,' which premiered at TIFF in 2024, Meena Nanji, Zippy Kimundu's 'Our Land, Our Freedom,' which made its world premiere at IDFA in 2023, and the 2025 Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner 'Seeds,' directed by Brittany Shyne. More from Variety About the everyday life of Black generational farmers and the legacy of the declining community in the American South, 'Seeds' will screen at the Museum's 924-seat LeFrak Theater. Shot fully in black and white, 'Seeds' weaves together vignettes of farm life for multiple aging farmers and their families, depicting the slow pace and communal beauty of agricultural living, but also the deep economic injustice black farmers have historically faced and continue to today. Director of public programs at the American Museum of Natural History and Mead Festival Director Jacqueline Handy says that 'Seeds' reminds her of 'home.' 'As a Black woman growing up in New York with southern roots, 'Seeds' pulled on my heart strings and pulled me in,' says Handy. 'It's one of the ways that I see myself reflected in the work of this festival. We are trying to have that balance where folks can see themselves reflected in the festival and also discover something new.' Shyne spent nine years making 'Seeds,' which is her doc feature debut. 'It took a long time for a myriad of reasons,' Shyne says. 'It's hard to get financial support for your first feature, and then just networking, and understanding how the industry works, also takes time. For documentary filmmakers, it's a very untenable and unpredictable environment. We are all pulling from the same resources.' After garnering the Sundance U.S. documentary prize in January, Shyne took 'Seeds' to a number of regional U.S. festivals, including Full Frame and RiverRun. However, despite being a favorite with critics and audiences alike, 'Seeds' does not have a distribution deal. Shyne credits regional fests with helping keep 'Seeds' part of the conversation. 'I feel very lucky that the film has been doing so well and has been well received,' she says. 'In terms of distribution, we are still trying to figure things out. We hope to have an impact campaign eventually. There are so many different phases of the film that we hope to do eventually, but I think at this point we're just enjoying where it's at.' Following a world premiere at Maine's Camden International Film Festival, director Max Keegan took his doc 'The Shepherd and The Bear' to IDFA in November 2024. On May 3, the film will make its New York debut at Margaret Mead. Set high in the majestic French Pyrenees, 'The Shepherd and The Bear' explores a conflict provoked by the controversial reintroduction of wild brown bears into a remote shepherding community. The doc follows an aging shepherd who struggles to find a successor as bears prey on his flock, and a teenage boy who becomes obsessed with tracking the bears. 'It just seemed like such a weird conflict because both sides were really right,' says Keegan, who spent two years filming in the French Pyrenees. 'I really felt like I could sympathize with farmers in the area who feel like this is a decision that's been taken by people who live so far away from them and who don't understand their lives. But I also really sympathize with the people who are interested in the bear as a symbol and want to protect these sorts of animals. The idea that these two things could be true at the same time really drew me into the subject. In November, Jour2Fête acquired French distribution rights to 'The Shepherd and The Bear.' The film does not have U.S. distribution. 'The festival run has been really significant,' says Keegan. 'It has been really important and we have been really lucky to have been selected for a variety of festivals that really valued the film.' Oscar-nominated filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady's most recent film, 'Folktales,' which debuted at Sundance 2025, will close the Margaret Mead Film Festival on May 3. About a trio of teenagers taking a 'gap year' at a Norwegian Folk High School in Pasvik, located 300 miles north of the Arctic Circle, 'Folktales' is a universal story, according to Ewing. 'The film is about growing up, and we have all done that,' says Ewing. '(The film) is about being insecure and wanting to learn how to be brave and not knowing how to.' After screening in Park City, Ewing and Grady took 'Folktales' to festivals including Full Frame, Thessaloniki, and San Francisco Intl. Film Festival. In April, Magnolia Pictures acquired North American rights to 'Folktales.' The doc will be released in theaters on July 25. 'I really hope that there is a shift back to the original roots of how Heidi and I started in this industry, which was word of mouth and a theatrical run,' says Grady. 'No one was making a cajillion dollars, but you had a fan base.' The recent theatrical success of documentaries like 'No Other Land' and 'Secret Mall Apartment' is a good sign, according to Grady. 'When I started in this business, there were not very many places to show your documentaries,' says Grady. 'There were no streamers. It was basically HBO and PBS. Everything else was theatrical. So, it's not a return to that, exactly but there is a feeling of more community and getting back to our fans. Our constituents.' The lineup for the 2025 Margaret Mead Film Festival: May 2 Seeds – New York Premiere Followed by post-screening discussion Director: Brittany Shyne (in attendance) 2025 | 125 min | USA May 3 Remaining Native – New York Premiere Followed by post-screening discussion Director: Paige Bethmann (in attendance) 2025| 87 min | USA The Shepherd and the Bear – New York Premiere Director: Max Keegan (in attendance) 2024 | 100 min | France, Spain Favoriten – New York Premiere Followed by post-screening discussion Director: Ruth Beckermann (in attendance) 2024 | 118 min | Austria Our Land, Our Freedom – New York Premiere Presented by Mira Nair, executive producer (in attendance) Followed by post-screening discussion Director: Meena Nanji, Zippy Kimundu (in attendance) 2023 | 100 min | Kenya Land with No Rider –New York Premiere Followed by post-screening discussion Director: Tamar Lando (in attendance) 2024 | 100 min | USA The Return of the Projectionist – New York Premiere Followed by post-screening discussion Director: Orkhan Agazade (in attendance) 2024 | 77 min | Azerbaijan Night of the Coyotes –New York Premiere Followed by post-screening discussion Director: Clara Trischler (in attendance) 2024 | 79 min | Mexico Brink of Dreams –New York Premiere Followed by post-screening discussion Director: Nada Riyadh, Ayman El Amir 2024 | 101 min | Egypt May 4 How Deep Is Your Love –New York Premiere Followed by post-screening discussion Director: Eleanor Mortimer (in attendance) 2025 | 101 min | United Kingdom Folktales –New York Premiere Followed by post-screening discussion Directors: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady (in attendance) 2025 | 106 min | Norway Partition –New York Premiere Followed by post-screening discussion Director: Diana Allan (in attendance) 2025 | 61 min | Palestine River of Grass –New York Premiere Followed by post-screening discussion Director: Sasha Wortzel (in attendance) 2024 | 83 min | USA Make it Look Real –New York Premiere Followed by post-screening discussion Director: Danial Shah (in attendance) 2024 | 67 min | Pakistan Bright Future –U.S. Premiere Followed by post-screening discussion Director: Andra MacMasters (in attendance) 2024 | 89 min | North Korea Viktor – New York Premiere Presented by Darren Aronofsky, producer (in attendance) Followed by post-screening discussion Director: Olivier Sarbil (in attendance) 2024 | 91 min | Ukraine Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. 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Newsweek
06-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Mom Braces for Backlash From 'Rude People' for Taking Autistic Son on Plane
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A mom of four has opened up about feeling "tense" around other passengers on planes when she's traveling with her 3-year-old son, who is autistic. Stephanie Randall from Baltimore, Maryland, posted footage to her Instagram @bephiebucks of her son Shyne "stimming" to cope with the stress of being on a flight. Shyne is the youngest of Randall's children, along with Shai, 6, Shiloh, 13, and Sanaa, 21. Like Shyne, Shai is also autistic. Randall has never shied away from sharing the realities of her family's life on social media. "I was inspired to start creating content because I come from a family who loves to take pictures and videos," she told Newsweek. So when Shyne began stimming, a term used to describe the repetitive self-stimulatory behaviors some people with autism engage in to help regulate emotions and manage sensory input, Randall got her phone out and began to record. Stephanie Randall on a flight with her son, Shyne. Stephanie Randall on a flight with her son, Shyne. Instagram/bephiebucks There were several reasons for wanting to record that day. The family was flying to Florida to celebrate Shai's birthday. The challenge here was not Shyne's behavior, but what Randall describes as the unwarranted "huffs and puffs" her son's behavior prompts from other passengers on the plane. "I decided to record because I am actively documenting both my sons' journey with autism, and it's always tense for me when I take them out because a lot of people are uneducated and rude," she said. "I wanted to shed light on what goes on in my mind when I'm in public with my boys." Around 1 in every 31 children aged 8 has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ASD is three times more common among boys than girls. While each case is unique, most will be well-versed in the challenges that come with ASD. Yet, according to Randall, some still lack the necessary empathy and understanding when it comes to encountering parents traveling with autistic children. "It is not out of the ordinary to encounter rude people when traveling, or just being out and about for that matter," she said. She often used to dread traveling. However, more recently, she changed her approach. "In the beginning it gave me so much anxiety that I would be overly apologetic and try to explain just for some people to continue on with the nasty stares and glares," she said. "Now, I ask is there a reason they are staring. Or I give them them a nasty look back. Or I ask is there a problem." The start of any flight is usually the most challenging time for Randall and her son. Boarding can be particularly difficult. "Because so many people are moving around and talking," she said. "I just allow him to stim like you see in the video." Like many, Shyne struggles with take-off. His mom is by his side to help him through, though. "I'm guessing it's the sensation of going up; he has the same reaction on elevators," she said. That's when he may start vocal stimming and grabbing on me. In that case, if I see the stimming isn't working for him, I'll put my arm around him and talk to him for reassurance." Though some passengers offer quiet judgment, Randall notes that plenty do come to their aid. "People will just smile or offer a snack. Even though Shyne is picky about what he eats, I still appreciate the gesture," she said. Other people will tell me how good Shyne and Shai are doing." Randall similarly praises the support the airlines she travels with provide. "I really just want my sons to be treated with respect," she said. "Not to be treated like some highly infectious disease."
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Shyne Takes Political Blow As He Loses Re-Election In Belize: 'The People Have Spoken'
Shyne's political career in Belize has hit a major roadblock, as the former rapper-turned-politician has officially lost his bid for re-election. The defeat came on Wednesday (March 12) during a press conference, marking the end of his tenure in the House of Representatives. According to Channel 5 Belize, Shyne, né Moses Barrow, was unseated by fellow United Democratic Party (UDP) member and businessman Lee Mark Chang in a decisive vote. The loss ends Shyne's time as the representative for the Mesopotamia constituency in Belize City, a position he first secured in 2020 before eventually rising to Leader of the Opposition and head of the Belize UDP. Shyne secured 318 votes while Chang pulled in nearly double that at 601. Accepting the results with a composed yet sobering tone, Shyne acknowledged the democracy. 'The people have spoken. Congratulations to Lee Mark Chang — he's now the new area representative of Mesopotamia, and I wish him well,' he stated. 'I was confident; that was the interaction I was having with the people, but they made a decision to go in another direction, and I respect that.' With his defeat, Shyne is now planning to step down as leader of the UDP once a new party official is elected. 'I certainly will resign effective once we have a national convention to elect a new leader,' he confirmed. 'Obviously, you can't be a leader of the United Democratic Party once you're not a member of the House, and I would not want to be appointed as a senator or anything to hold on to the leadership.' Reportedly, Chang had been openly critical of the 46-year-old throughout the election cycle, even going as far as to call him a 'cancer' in government. 'The people are realizing they have been bamboozled,' Chang reportedly declared on national television in Belize. Shyne first rose to prominence in the late '90s as a rapper under Diddy's Bad Boy Records. His ascent was cut short in 2001 when he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for assault, gun possession, and reckless endangerment following a 1999 nightclub shooting in New York City that left two people injured. The incident, which also involved Diddy and then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, became one of the most high-profile legal battles in Hip-Hop history. After serving eight years behind bars, Shyne was released in 2009, but was immediately deported to Belize, where he pivoted from music to politics. His evolution from rapper to politician was chronicled in The Honorable: Shyne, a documentary that explores his journey from a troubled past to becoming Belize's Leader of the Opposition. The film offered a rare glimpse into reinventing himself as it highlighted his efforts to shape the political landscape of his home country. More from 'The Honorable: Shyne' Documentary, Produced By DJ Khaled, Coming To Hulu Shyne Admits Calling This Kendrick Lamar Album "Trash" Was A Mistake Shyne Recalls Dating Brandy While She Was Also Seeing Ma$e, Says Diddy Disapproved
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shyne Loses Re-Election Bid in Belize: ‘The People Have Spoken'
Shyne has lost his bid for re-election in Belize. The former Bad Boy conceded defeat in a press conference on Wednesday night (March 12). According to Channel 5 Belize, Shyne (born Moses Barrow) was unseated by fellow United Democratic Party member and businessman Lee Mark Chang in the general election. More from Billboard Jonas Brothers Announce Release Date For 'Love Me To Heaven' Single Lizzo Turns 'Pain Into Some Champagne' on Post-Heartbreak Single 'Still Bad': Stream It Now Doechii, Durand Bernarr, Maren Morris & More Set to Attend the 2025 GLAAD Media Awards Shyne was elected to the Mesopotamia seat in Belize City for the House of Representatives in 2020, and he eventually served as the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives and the leader of the Belize United Democratic Party. According to Channel 5 Belize, Shyne secured only 318 votes in the constituency of Mesopotamia, while Chang earned 601. 'The people have spoken. Congratulations to Lee Mark Chang — he's now the new area representative of Mesopotamia, and I wish him well,' Shyne said, according to the local news outlet. 'I was confident; that was the interaction I was having with the people, but they made a decision to go in another direction, and I respect that.' With Shyne losing his House of Representatives seat, he's planning to resign as the leader of the Belize UDP once a new official is elected. 'I certainly will resign effective once we have a national convention to elect a new leader,' he added. 'Obviously you can't be a leader of the United Democratic Party once you're not a member of the House, and I would not want to be appointed as a senator or anything to hold on to the leadership.' Chang was very critical of Shyne leading up to the election, reportedly referring to him as a 'cancer' in the government. 'The people are realizing they have been bamboozled,' he reportedly said on national TV in Belize. It's unclear if the loss marks the end of Shyne's run in Belizean politics. Shyne rose to fame in the late '90s as a rapper under Diddy's Bad Boy Records label. He was sentenced to 10 years behind bars in 2001 on assault, gun possession and reckless endangerment charges for his role in a 1999 NYC nightclub shooting that left two people wounded. He was released in 2009 after eight years behind bars and deported to Belize. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘I'm still kind of processing it': Wright State grad talks ‘Seeds,' top honor at Sundance
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — A Wright State University alum recently won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The film festival began in 1978, and this year's festival saw a local face take home one of their most prestigious awards. 'I'm still kind of processing it. You know, it's obviously incredible and it's a very huge acknowledgment, you know. And I'm really grateful for it, but like, it's like every day I'm like, wow, this really happened, you know?' Meet Brittany Shyne. She's a filmmaker who directed, shot and produced the feature documentary 'Seeds,' the Sundance festival jury's pick for best documentary feature. The film is about generational and legacy farmers in the southern United States, specifically centennial farmers (those who've owned their land for at least 100 years — one of the family's presented in the film have owned their farm since 1883). 'So really it's about, you know, the continuation of these family farms and who's going to take over, but also showing like the intergenerational connectedness with this film,' Shyne describes. Sundance Film Festival names Cincinnati a finalist for its new home The film lingers on these lives, using black and white cinematography to express that feeling. The look of the film was inspired in part by the portraiture photography of artists such as P.H. Poke, Roy DeCarava and Gordon Parks. 'My film is a very kind of a slow paced film. It's kind of understated and I wanted to kind of relish in this kind of geographical landscape. So, I really wanted the imagery to kind of linger in the place. Linger in this specific time that was kind of dwindling away.' Shyne began working on 'Seeds,' during her time as a graduate student at Northwestern University, post graduation from Wright State. By then she had already taken to the tutelage of Julia Reichert and Steve Bognar, which would eventually lead to cinematography work on their Oscar-winning documentary 'American Factory,' and the Untilted Dave Chappelle documentary that was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shyne calls them 'pioneers in their field,' spotlighting their rigorous and meticulous work ethic as key influences on her process. From about 2015 to a couple weeks before Sundance, Shyne worked in a myriad of ways to get the film completed. From fundraising (which was the biggest hurdle against the completion of the film), to networking, to several trips to Georgia and Mississippi to film, to post-production, the work was a 10-year process of fortitude for Shyne and her collaborators. Shyne says that two big motivators for completing this film were her parents' guidance, as well as the need to present the story of 'Seeds,' to the world. 'There's so many black stories that — kind of — can get lost, you know, or not duly acknowledged. And I found that there's something very profound about this story, about legacy, the maintenance of legacy, you know, you're archiving, so things are not being forgotten.' She says the extra time was ultimately beneficial to the film. Fast forward to Jan. 25, a surely chilly Saturday morning, and the first time that Sundance audiences got to view the film for the first time. Shyne was among the crowd as well, with family, and the support system that helped bring the film to the screen. Her viewing experience was a juxtaposition of self-critique and of witnessing, seeing how others connected to the film. She recalls the experience being a 'whirlwind.' 'I can't replicate the experience I had because there's so much — many moments that people were just like so open about their own experiences.' Shyne reminisces. 'It was just very lovely, and I'm always just astounded — kind of — how well it did and just — you know — the connections I made too.' Now, post Grand Jury Prize Award, and alongside burgeoning praise, 'Seeds,' remains on a festival tour. 'The film's going to be on the festival circuit throughout this year.' Shyne says that next week she'll tour the film at True/False FIlm Festival in Missouri before traveling to Greece the following week and then to Copenhagen. As she continues her own journey as a filmmaker, her advice to other filmmakers is to follow the stories that you're passionate about and to build community with fellow artists. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
