Yahoo Lifestyle Gravitas Acquires ‘Ramona at Midlife’ (EXCLUSIVE) – Film News in Brief
Gravitas Ventures has acquired U.S. and Canadian rights to the dramedy “Ramona at Midlife” for a February release. It tells the story of a single mother and former literary “It Girl” who discovers that her “failure” is the subject of a hot filmmaker’s newest project, according to the logline. “The movie is also a love letter to Patti Smith, patron saint of rock and roll moms,” the producers said.
The feature debut of screenwriter and playwright Brook Berman, it stars Yvonne Woods, Alysia Reiner, Joel de la Fuente, April Matthis, Rosemarie Dewitt, Zarah Mahler, Robert Beitzel, Catherine Curtin, Brian Slaten, Yetta Gottesman, Kristen Vaganos and David Alan Basche with cameos from Josh Radnor and Jan Leslie Harding.
Gravitas Ventures acquisitions manager Mackenzie Maguire negotiated the deal with producer Todd Slater of Convoke Media on behalf of the filmmakers.
“We’re excited to share this honest look at a woman over 40 making room for herself and taking charge of her story. The antidote to invisibility is a commitment to see and love ourselves, as we are,” said director Brooke Berman, “That and Patti Smith, can get us through anything.”
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Women in Film Releases 2025 ReFrame and WIF Oscars Voters Guide
ReFrame, an initiative of Sundance Institute and WIF (Women In Film) have released the 2025 ReFrame & WIF Oscars Voter Guide highlighting women, non-binary and/or gender non-conforming, and trans people of all genders who are eligible for Academy Awards.
The Voter Guide serves as a go-to resource for Academy voters during the first voting window, amplifies the work of deserving and qualifying women and gender diverse creatives, raises awareness of gender bias, and promotes equity in the industry.
“Winning awards brings attention to excellent work and builds careers,” says Kirsten Schaffer, CEO of WIF. “Only 32% of Oscar nominations in 2024 went to women. The ReFrame & WIF Oscars Voter Guide advocates for hundreds of incredible women, nonbinary, and transgender people whose work is deserving of accolades, with the goal of achieving gender equality across the industry.”
WIF’s advocacy work during awards season will culminate in a star-studded party, the 18th Annual WIF Oscars Nominees Celebration, on Feb. 28, 2025.
Art Directors Guild Announces Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame Award Honorees
Lisa Frazza, Barbara Mesney, Dan Sweetman, and J. Dennis Washington are among the Art Director’s Guild Lifetime Achievement award honorees. Carl Jules Weyl who worked on “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“We’re thrilled to recognize these fantastic artisans, who represent the pinnacle of craftsmanship and artistry in art departments,” says award show producers Michael Allen Glover, ADG and Megan Elizabeth Bell, ADG in a joint statement.
Frazza will receive Lifetime Achievement Award recognition through the Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists (STG) Council, presented during the ADG Awards ceremony by production designer Jack Forrestel.
The Set Designers & Model Makers (SDMM) are bestowing their Lifetime Achievement Award on Set Designer, Barbara Mesney (“Gone Girl”), presented by art director Dawn Swiderski.
Dan Sweetman will receive his Lifetime Achievement Award from the Illustrators and Matte Artists (IMA) Council, presented by storyboard artist David Lowery.
The Art Directors (AD) Council is also set to honor Production Designer, J. Dennis Washington (“The Fugitive”) celebrating his work over more than 50 years in the film industry. Washington’s award will be presented by Agent Ann Murtha.
Thursday, Dec. 5
Greenwich Entertainment Acquires U.S. Distribution Rights to ‘Bonjour Tristesse’
Greenwich Entertainment has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Durga Chew-Bose’s directorial debut, “Bonjour Tristesse.” The film is based on Françoise Sagan’s 1950s novel of the same title. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The Babe Nation Films and Elevation Pictures production stars Chloë Sevigny (“Feud: Capote vs The Swans”), Claes Bang (“The Square”), and Lily McInerny (“Palm Trees and Power Lines”).
The logline reads: “At the height of summer, 18-year-old Cécile (McInerny) is languishing by the French seaside with her handsome father, Raymond (Bang), and his lover, Elsa (Naïlia Harzoune) when the arrival of her late mother’s friend Anne (Sevigny) changes everything. Amid the sun-drenched splendour of their surroundings, Cécile’s world is threatened and, desperate to regain control, she sets in motion a plan to drive Anne away with tragic consequences.”
Chew-Bose was named one of Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch for 2025.
Native American Media Alliance Announces Participants for 6th Annual Animation Lab
The Native American Media Alliance (NAMA) has announced the class of fellows for the 6th Annual Native American Animation Lab. This program was created to support Native Americans pursuing careers in the animation field as well as to highlight more accurate portrayals of Indigenous communities in television and film.
“The Native American Animation Lab is a transformative experience that empowers Indigenous artists to bring their unique visions to life,” announced Ian Skorodin (Choctaw), director of strategy for the Native American Media Alliance. ”This lab has uplifted several Native American artists who want to bring their unique stories to life.”
The five-day curriculum for the Native American Animation Lab includes meetings with industry executives from companies such as Netflix, Dreamworks Animation, MTV, Sony Pictures Animation and more. The program is also tailored around mentoring opportunities, group sessions and initiatives to help participants build relationships with professionals in animation. The program concludes with a pitch series for participants to receive feedback from executives.
This year’s fellows include Andrew Luna, Anthony Chee Emerson, Daveishena D. Redhouse, Esai Alvarez, Kelsey Foote, Nick Alan Foote and Sonny Brava.
Wednesday, Dec. 4
Dr. Jacquelyn Ford Morie is honored by the The Visual Effects Society with Georges Méliès Award
The Visual Effects Society (VES) is honoring Dr. Jacquelyn Ford Morie with the Georges Méliès Award for her contributions to visual arts and technology.
The VES Georges Méliès Award recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to the visual effects industry through their artistry, invention and work. Over her long career, Dr. Morie has helped shape projects across health, education, art and space exploration.
“Dr. Jacki Morie exemplifies enduring impact at the intersection of art, science, and technology, shaping the future of virtual experiences worldwide,” VES Chair Kim Davidson said. “She has been at the edge of technological advances since the 1980s, and remains dedicated to mentoring the next generation of VR innovators while forging ahead with new paradigms in immersive media.”
Dr. Morie helped establish the University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies, worked as a Senior Scientist there for 14 years, formed her own company in 2011 and produced a study for NASA designed to mitigate social isolation for future astronauts. She has also won multiple awards, including the AIXR Accenture Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 and the Legacy Nextant Award from the Virtual World Society.
The award will be presented on Feb. 11 during the 23rd Annual VES Awards.
Monday, Dec. 2
Roe v. Wade Inspired Documentary ‘Zurawski v Texas’ will screen at Napa Valley Film Festival
Following Roe v. Wade being overturned in 2022 and a politically turbulent national election, the documentary “Zurawski v Texas” will be screened at a two-night benefit screening as part of the Napa Valley Film Festival on Dec. 8 and 9.
Executive produced by Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton and Jennifer Lawrence, this documentary follows the historic 2023 case where 43 women stood up for their rights in Texas to access abortions in the case of life-threatening pregnancies.
The post-screening Q&As will feature lead plaintiff Amanda Zurawski, lead attorneys Molly Duane and Jamie Levitt and director Maisie Crow. Proceeds from the two screenings will be donated to Planned Parenthood of Northern California and The SexEd Justice Project, two local organizations dedicated to preserving reproductive rights.
Tickets for the event can be purchased online. The documentary previously screened at the Telluride Film Festival and AFI Fest.
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