Black film fests form distribution network

...The plan is to put black-theme movies in commercial theaters, initially from the independent film program recently begun by the AMC theater chain, for a two-week run supported by social networks, mailing lists and other buzz-building services at the disposal of allied ethnic film festivals.

The films will not be part of normal festival programs, but will screen in all cities simultaneously with promotional backing from the festival organizations, which will share in revenue... And if Ms. DuVernay is correct in her belief that African-American viewers want more movies than they are getting from conventional distributors, the movement will eventually reach about four dozen cities where black-oriented festivals have been gaining strength, even as black film languishes in the studio world.

This is a really great idea. I'm gonna follow this and see how it develops.

Also:
- Oscar-winning writer-director Paul Haggis is planning a tell-all book about Scientology. (24 Frames)
- True Grit super-producer Scott Rudin explains why Hailee Steinfeld is being campaigned for Supporting Actress in the Oscar race and not lead actress. (In Contention)
- Todd Haynes and Kate Winslet talk about their Mildred Pierce remake. (Thompson on Hollywood)
- Ben Affleck discusses his cinematic influences in filming The Town. (The Envelope)
- This video compares an actual Micky Ward fight to the way it was filmed in The Fighter. (In Contention)
- Life in a Day, the film put together by thousands of filmmakers around the world, will stream on YouTube later this month in time for the Sundance Festival. (Coming Soon)
- Take a stroll through Marilyn Monroe's Manhattan. (NYTimes)

BTW, I was going to write a post about the movie Seven, which I watched this weekend, but a movie about a serial killer, I think you'll agree, would probably be inappropriate right now given recent events. I'll write about it another time.