AFI Gala Honoring Nicole Kidman Rescheduled for 2024 – Film News in Brief
The American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award gala recognizing Nicole Kidman has been rescheduled for April 27 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
The tribute gala, which was delayed due to the WGA strike, had originally been scheduled for June 10, 2023.
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She is the first Australian actor to receive the AFI honor.
“Nicole Kidman has enchanted audiences for decades with the daring of her artistry and the glamour of a screen icon. She is a force both brave in her choices and bold in each performance,” AFI Board of Trustees chair Kathleen Kennedy said when she was selected.
Kidman has an Oscar for “The Hours” and nominations for “Moulin Rouge,” “Rabbit Hole,” “Lion” and “Being the Ricardos.” She also has two Emmys for “Big Little Lies” and a Golden Globe nod for “The Undoing.”
Pentatonix Announced as ‘Carolers’ in Prime Video’s ‘Candy Cane Lane’
Expect many festive Christmas songs from acapella group Pentatonix, as they will star as the “carolers” in Prime Video’s upcoming holiday comedy “Candy Cane Lane,” starring Eddie Murphy.
“Candy Cane Lane” stars Murphy as Chris, a man who strives to win his neighborhood’s annual Christmas home decoration contest. He strikes a deal with a mischievous elf, Pepper (Jillian Bell), who casts a spell that brings the 12 Days of Christmas to life and incites chaos throughout the town. Accompanied by his wife, Carol (Tracee Ellis Ross) and their three children, Chris must break the spell before it ruins the holidays.
“When I read the script and saw reoccurring singing parts, I knew there was only one casting choice: Pentatonix!” said director Reginald Hudlin. “Working with them was so much fun and to experience their vocal mastery in person was pure joy! People are going to love them in this movie.”
The film also announced the “12 Days of Candy Cane Lane” partnership with Grubhub, which will feature holiday surprises (including free “Candy Cane Lane” cookies) every day from Nov. 20 to Nov. 22. “Candy Cane Lane” premieres on Prime Video Dec. 1.
New Film Club GALERIE Launches, Wes Anderson to Curate
Film production company Indian Paintbrush has launched GALERIE, a new film club that will bring together “curated film collections, original videos, considered writing, and live screenings and discussions into a single destination” — as the description reads.
Fans of cinema will be able to consume GALERIE’s library of content — such as exclusive filmed conversations with GALERIE curators and interviews with filmmakers, among other features — by subscribing for $10 a month. Renowned filmmaker Wes Anderson will serve as curator for an exclusive space, where he will conceptualize ongoing exhibitions for the platform. Along with Anderson, the slate of “GALERIE” curators includes Taylor Russell, Karyn Kusama, Ethan Hawke, Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Gray and Ed Lachman.
“Amidst the media clutter overwhelming all of us, we are delighted to introduce GALERIE as a unique sanctuary for discovering cinema differently,” said Steven Rales, founder of Indian Paintbrush. “GALERIE offers the opportunity to explore the indelible contributions of those more and less visible in the filmmaking endeavor, as well as an avenue to converse and learn about the many attributes of this cherished medium.”
Kevin Haney and Ora T. Green to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards
“Driving Miss Daisy” make-up artist Kevin Haney and “Star Trek: Nemesis” hair stylist Ora T. Green will each receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 11th Annual Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards on Feb. 18, 2024.
The award recognizes “artists with an extraordinary spectrum of acclaimed work, exceptional contributions to the entertainment industry, and outstanding service to their union or their craft,” according to the description.
In addition to his work on “Driving Miss Daisy,” which garned him an Academy Award, Haney has worked on major box office films including “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Iron Man,” among others. A nominee for two Primetime Emmy Awards, Green has worked on popular television shows like “Maude” and “One Day at a Time.”
“We are honored to recognize Kevin Haney and Ora T. Green for their unprecedented contributions to the artistry of make-up and hair styling. Over their legendary careers, their work has been captured on the most memorable, whimsical, creative, and celebrated characters of film and television,” said Julie Socash, president of the Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild. “We are incredibly proud to present them with the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Awards.”
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