The Russo Brothers’ production company AGBO is gearing up for the fourth annual “No Sleep ‘Till Film Fest,” a two-day competition inviting filmmakers to create short films of three minutes or less. The top three entries will win filmmaking prize packages, including top-tier equipment and resources, and earn a spot in the AGBO Storytellers Collective, joining an esteemed network of past winners from AGBO-sponsored festivals.
The festival has previously garnered over 2,000 submissions from 60+ countries, with 2023 winners including Darren Hinchy’s “Time of Your Life” (Canada), Tanya Lialina and Teodor Klimov’s “Just a Sec!” (Georgia), and Grace McLeod’s “02:00 Minutes” (US). Submissions for this year’s event will be accepted from September 27-29, with winners announced on November 6.
In other film news, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will host its Student Academy Awards ceremony at London’s ODEON Luxe Leicester Square on October 14, marking a shift from its traditional Beverly Hills venue. The event will highlight emerging filmmakers and is supported by Rolex.
Congressman Joaquin Castro has announced his third annual Latino film nominations for the National Film Registry, aiming to increase Latino representation in film history. Nominated films include “Blood In Blood Out,” “Frida,” “Like Water for Chocolate,” and “Pan’s Labyrinth.”
Angelina Jolie will receive the TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, recognizing her significant contributions to film and humanitarian work.
The Culinary Institute of America at Copia will launch its “Flavors of Film” series, celebrating culinary cinema with screenings of films like “Sideways,” “The Truffle Hunters,” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox.” The series kicks off on October 12 with a special Q&A featuring director Alexander Payne and actress Virginia Madsen.
The filmmakers of “City of Dreams” are giving away $1 million worth of preview tickets to support organizations and underserved communities. The film, addressing child trafficking, aims to raise awareness and provide free access to those in need.
The 16th Annual Hola México Film Festival will showcase a variety of Mexican films from September 20-27, featuring genres ranging from comedy to social-political drama. Notable selections include “Casi El Paraiso” and “Párvulos: Hijos Del Apocalipsis.”
IndieVISIBLE Entertainment has introduced the Access Instigators program to promote production accessibility and support careers for differently-abled filmmakers. The program will offer hands-on training and mentorship over an eight-month period.
Finally, “Being Robin,” a documentary about director Roger Kabler’s tribute to Robin Williams, will be released on November 5. The film explores Kabler’s personal journey and mental health reflections inspired by Williams.
