GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics has announced the nominees for its 16th Dorian Film Awards. Jane Schoenbrun’s “I Saw the TV Glow” led the nominees with nine nods, including Film of the Year, LGBTQ Film of the Year, Director of the Year, and Screenplay of the Year.” Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance” nabbed eight nominations including, Director for Fargeat, while “Challengers” and “Emilia Peréz” earned six nominations each.
“The Brutalist” made a strong showing with five nominations, with “Anora,” “Nickel Boys” and “Wicked” all close behind with four apiece. “Queer” and “Problemista” round out the multi-nominated films with three nods each. In the per-studio counts, A24 led with 25 nominations, then Amazon MGM with 13, Netflix with 11, and Mubi with 10.
Notable titles in the group’s trademark categories include the slapstick comedy “Hundreds of Beavers” vying for Unsung Film of the Year, “Madame Web” and “Trap” for Campiest Flick, and “The Brutalist,” “Nosferatu” and “Dune: Part Two” for Visually Striking Film. The group’s Timeless Star career achievement honoree will be named when the winners are announced Thursday Feb. 13.
Along with its film nominations, GALECA announced it is donating $1000 to The Los Angeles Press Club’s emergency relief fund. “Entertainment journalists are an integral part of the Hollywood ecosystem, and we want to make sure they aren’t forgotten in what’s already a very tough environment for those in our profession,” said GALECA Executive Director John Griffiths.
Friday, Jan. 17
Lost Charles Burnett Film, ‘The Annihilation of Fish,’ To Release in Theaters for First Time
“The Annihilation of Fish,” directed by Charles Burnett, has never been accessible to the public. A 4K restoration effort brings it to the big screen on Valentine’s Day in New York City.
UCLA Film & Television Archive and The Film Foundation restored the film, working in partnership with Milestone Films, and the Hobson Lucas Family Foundation funded the effort, Kino Lorber and Milestone Films announced Friday.
The film will play at BAM Rose Cinemas in the Peter Jay Sharp Building in New York from Feb. 14-27, during BAM Film 2025. The film will then open to select theaters across the country.
The comedy film was made in 1999 and stars Lynn Redgrave, James Earl Jones and Margot Kidder. It follows an unconventional couple in a boarding house: Redgrave as Poinsettia, who has had a fantasy relationship with Giacomo Puccini, and Jones as Fish, a widowed man who was previously in a mental institution. The film is based on an Anthony C. Winkler short story.
“The Annihilation of Fish” was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival in 1999.
Thursday, Jan. 16
DOC NYC and Gathr Partner on Portal to Connect Documentary Filmmakers
DOC NYC, New York’s documentary festival, is partnering with event and distribution platform Gathr on the new DOC NYC PRO Consultants Portal, designed to connect rising documentary filmmakers with professionals in the industry.
The portal aims to support filmmakers throughout the entire filmmaking process, starting from development to funding all the way to post, marketing and distribution.
“While most seasoned professionals enjoy ‘paying forward’ their experience in moderation, we are excited to provide them with additional paid professional opportunities to offer consulting services,” said Malikkah Rollins, Director of Industry and Education at DOC NYC. “This portal provides an opportunity to establish a sustainable framework for what has traditionally been an ecosystem of favors and informal access. Experts have the freedom to set their own topics and rates, while still being encouraged to serve as champions and mentors to rising talent in ways that feel right for them.”
Some of the experts available for consultations include director Lina Lyte Plioplyte (“Periodical”), Emmy-nominated filmmaker Natalie Bullock Brown, director and publicist Jessica Edwards (“Eno”), producer Ryan Harrington (“A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole”) and award-winning producer Beth Levison (“The Martha Mitchell Effect”).
Kim Davidson, Susan O’Neal Among Visual Effects Society’s 2025 Board of Directors Officers
Kim Davidson, CEO and president of visual effects developer SideFX, was reelected as Board Chair for the Visual Effects Society’s 2025 Board of Directors.
“It is my privilege to serve as Chair of our worldwide community of visual effects artists and innovators,” Davidson said in a statement. “Since I joined the Society 18 years ago, I have seen the VES grow from a California-based organization to a global society with 16 regional Sections and members in more than 50 countries. As the first Chair elected from outside the U.S., I am representative of our thriving globalization, and I look forward to further championing our expansion worldwide.”
Davidson is the recipient of three of the Academy’s Scientific and Technical Awards. He has seven years of experience on the VES global board.
The officers also include Susan O’Neal as the 1st Vice Chair, David Tanaka as 2nd Vice Chair, Rita Cahill as Secretary and Jeffrey A. Okun as Treasurer. The organization’s Board Executive Committee is made up of these officers.
“Our Society is fortunate to have strong leadership represented on our Executive Committee,” VES Executive Director Nancy Ward said in a statement. “I am honored to work alongside these exceptional, dedicated professionals, especially amidst this time of dynamic change. We appreciate their commitment to further advance the Society’s global initiatives and impact.”
Wednesday, Jan. 15
Greenwich Entertainment Picks Up Documentary ‘UnBroken’ For U.S. Distribution
Greenwich Entertainment has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the documentary “UnBroken,” which won a top prize at the Heartland Film Festival in 2023.
“UnBroken” tells the true story of the daughter of a Holocaust survivor as she goes on a quest around the world, searching for answers to uncover how her mother and six siblings all escaped from Nazi Germany.
“Partnering with Greenwich and joining their roster of films is an honor,” director Beth Lane said. “Their ability to bring this personal journey, which is not only my directorial debut but my artistic life’s most significant work, transforms the pain of generations past into something that can heal and inspire others to choose empathy and compassion. It is a privilege to have Greenwich deliver ‘UnBroken’ to audiences where it takes courage to share our story of hope.”
Greenwich Entertainment is an independent film distributor that was founded in 2017. In the years since, they have released titles such as “Diane Warren: Relentless,” “Close to You” starring Elliot Page, “Charli XCX: Alone Together” and “The Critic.”
“UnBroken” is set to release in theaters Feb. 21.
Frameline, GLAAD and NewFest Host ‘Cheers, Queers’ Event at Sundance Film Festival
For the second year in a row, GLAAD is joining Frameline and NewFest, two major LGBTQ+ film festivals, to host the “Cheers, Queers” celebration at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival.
The “Cheers, Queers” event is happening on Friday, Jan. 24 and will feature conversation and party including a “Trans Stories and Storytelling” panel with director Zackary Drucker (“April & Amanda”) and actor Aud Mason-Hyde (“Jimpa”) and a “Raising Our Voices” segment. The event is in partnership with Acura and co-host IMDbPro.
“It’s more vital than ever to carve out intentional spaces where queer cinema and creators can be celebrated at Sundance Film Festival,” say Frameline, GLAAD, and NewFest in a joint statement. “This event is not just a celebration but a reminder of the transformative power of LGBTQ storytelling to foster connection, inspire change, and elevate the diversity and complexity of our community. Our organizations are proud to unite for the second year in a row in Park City for an afternoon that uplifts queer voices and honors the incredible talent driving these stories forward.”
This year’s Sundance Film Festival runs from Jan. 23 to Feb. 2 in Park City.
Tuesday, Jan. 14
Manila International Film Festival Postpones Its Second Edition due to Wildfires
The Manila International Film Festival has postponed its second edition, scheduled from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, to a later date this year that will be announced.
MIFF was going to show entries plus special screening films at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood and hold a closing night awards gala at the International Ballroom of The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills.
Omen Ortiz, MIFF chairman and co-founder, said in a statement, “Because of the catastrophic wildfires that are heavily affecting Southern California, we at the Manila International Film Festival are postponing our second 2025 edition, originally scheduled from January 30 to February 2, to a later date to be announced.” Ortiz continued, “We are devastated by the tremendous impact of the wildfires on many people, including the Filipino community. At this time, as we pray for the people experiencing trauma and loss, we ask all to continue supporting the fire relief efforts. We look forward to announcing the new dates of this year’s MIFF where we plan to honor the frontline workers and volunteers, including the Filipino first responders, who are heroically battling the wildfires.”
