AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL’S 2020 SLATE:
NEWS
The Badger goes to “27th. Austin Film Festival 2020”
‘The Badger’, a feature film directed by Kazem Mollaie, will be screened in the “27th. Austin Film Festival” in October 2020.
Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference (AFF), the premier film festival recognizing the writers’ contributions to film, television, and new media, announced today the full schedule of films and panels for the 27th annual Festival, this October 22-29, to be held exclusively online. AFF’s feature film slate includes the returning marquee selections highlighting upcoming film releases from reputable distributors. Gravitas Ventures joins the Festival with the US Premiere of Dave Not Coming Back, which chronicles the 283 meter cave dive of two friends Don and Dave, who find a dead body after breaking a world record, as well as the Utopia title Golden Arm written by Ann Marie Allison and Jenna Milly and directed by Maureen Bharoocha. The annual Writers Conference, scheduled for the first five days of the Festival, October 22-26, released today a new batch of programming with panels featuring conversations with Gina Prince Bythewood, director of Netflix’s The Old Guard and writer/director of Love & Basketball, in addition to Alec Berg and Bill Hader, creators of the Emmy award winning series Barry.
The slate will feature 22 world, North American, and US premieres directly hailing from AFF’s four feature film competition categories, including: the world premiere of director Felipe Mucci’s Two Deaths of Henry Baker written by and starring Sebastian Pigott with Gil Bellows, Tony Curran, Joe Dinicol, Jess Salgueiro, and Dani Kind. Produced by Neshama Entertainment, MarVista Entertainment and Particular Crowd; The Badger, starring Vishka Asayesh by Iranian indie writer/director Kazem Mollaie; and Good, written/directed by Justin Etheredge along with co-writer Nathan Allen starring Keith David, Nefetari Spencer, and Kali Racquel. Other world premiere titles include the Marshall Cook directed comedy Film Fest, co-written by Cook and Paul Alan Cope, starring Matt Cook, Diona Reasonover, CJ Vana, Laird Macintosh, and Will Sasso; along with Chelsea McEvoy’s and Ryan Tebbutt’s insightful documentary Re-Inventing The Wheel with a deep-dive into the Okanagan wheelchair community of Kelowna, Canada.
The Festival will showcase other world premieres highlighting Texas productions and talent including the World Premiere of Austin & LA based writer/director Justin Corsbie’s debut feature, Hard Luck Love Song, staring Michael Dorman (Amazon’s Patriot, Invisible Man), Sophia Bush, RZA, Dermot Mulroney, Brian Sacca, Melora Walters and Academy Award nominated Eric Roberts, and Queens of Pain co-directed by Cassie Hay and Amy Winston, chronicling the lives of three skaters for Gotham Girls Roller Derby (one of the most successful teams in New York sports history).
AFF also announced the world, North American, and US Premieres for a number of international films representing the countries of Spain, Denmark, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Cameroon, Iran, France, and Poland. Titles include the romantic comedy Time for Love, written/directed by Miguel Velez and starring Marcin Franc and Marta Sutor; the blistering dark comedy Standard written/directed by Fernando González Gómez; Carl Marlott’s thrilling sci-fi roller coaster The Blue Orchid; the filmmaking debut of Olivier Assoua with The Eagle’s Nest; and director O’Neil Bürgi’s dynamic documentary ALE chronicling a 19-year-old wrestling student’s unexpected journey to becoming a full-fledged wrestler.
Austin Film Festival revealed today their full Writers Conference schedule. The Conference features a roster of prominent screenwriters in film and television, including conversations with Gillian Flynn, creator of Amazon Prime’s dystopian-thriller Utopia and writer of Widows, Sharp Objects, and Gone Girl; three time Oscar nominated writer John Logan, creator of Showtime’s Penny Dreadful and writer of Skyfall, Hugo, and The Aviator; Oscar winner Kevin Willmott, co-writer of BlacKkKlansman and Da 5 Bloods. Other notable panelists include Paul Feig, Prentice Penny, Scott Frank, Howard Gordon, Tracey Scott Wilson, Ed Solomon, Leslye Headland, Rolin Jones, and Emily V. Gordon.
NARRATIVE FEATURES
The Catch (World Premiere)
Writer/Director: Matthew Ya-Hsiung Balzer
Paper Tiger (World Premiere)
Writer/Director: Paul Kowalski
Wake Show (World Premiere)
Writer: Aldo Miyashiro, Érika Villalobos, Abril Cárdenas
Director: Aldo Miyashiro
Vagabonds (Texas Premiere)
Writer: Philippe Dajoux, Rebecca Bitan
Director: Philippe Dajoux
Good (World Premiere)
Writer: Justin Etheredge, Nathan Allen
Director: Justin Etheredge
The Badger (North American Premiere)
Writer/Director: Kazem Mollaie
Two Deaths of Henry Baker (World Premiere)
Writer: Sebastian Pigott
Director: Felipe Mucci
Hard Luck Love Song (World Premiere)
Writer: Justin Corsbie, Craig Ugoretz, inspired by the song “Just Like Old Times” by Todd Snider
Director: Justin Corsbie
MARQUEE FEATURES
Dave Not Coming Back (US Premiere)
Director: Jonah Malak
Golden Arm (Texas Premiere)
Writer: Ann Marie Allison, Jenna Milly
Director: Maureen Bharoocha
COMEDY VANGUARD FEATURES
Death of a Telemarketer (Texas Premiere)
Writers/Director: Khaled Ridgeway
Reboot Camp (World Premiere)
Writer/Director: Ivo Raza
Film Fest (World Premiere)
Writer: Marshall Cook, Paul Alan Cope
Director: Marshall Cook
Standard (North American Premiere)
Writer/Director: Fernando González Gómez
Murder Bury Win (Texas Premiere)
Writer/Director: Michael Lovan
Time for Love (World Premiere)
Writer/Director: Miguel Velez
DARK MATTERS FEATURES
Blinders (North American Premiere)
Writer: Tyler Savage, Dash Hawkins
Director: Tyler Savage
The Blue Orchid (North American Premiere)
Writer: Carl Marott, Hans Frederik Jacobsen
Director: Carl Marott
The Arbors (Texas Premiere)
Writer: Clayton Witmer, Chelsey Cummings
Director: Clayton Witmer
The Eagle’s Nest (US Premiere)
Writer/Director: Olivier Assoua
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
Open Field (World Premiere)
Director: Kathy Kuras
Re-Inventing The Wheel (Texas Premiere)
Director: Chelsea McEvoy
The Book Keepers (World Premiere)
Director: Phil Wall
Kusasa (Texas Premiere)
Director: Shane Vermooten
Wildflower (Texas Premiere)
Director: Matt Smukler
Baato (Texas Premiere)
Director: Lucas Millard
ALE (World Premiere)
Director: O’Neil Bürgi
TEXAS INDEPENDENT FEATURES
The Get Together (World Premiere)
Writer: Will Bakke, Michael B. Allen
Director: Will Bakke
Horton Foote: The Road To Home (World Premiere)
Director: Anne Rapp
Fugitive Dreams (US Premiere)
Writer: Jason Neulander, Caridad Svich
Director: Jason Neulander
Queens of Pain (World Premiere)
Director: Cassie Hay, Amy Winston
ABOUT AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL:
Austin Film Festival (AFF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the art, craft, and business of writers and filmmakers and recognizing their contributions to film, television, and new media. AFF champions the work of aspiring and established writers and filmmakers by providing unique cultural events and services, enhancing public awareness and participation, and encouraging dynamic and long-lasting community partnerships. AFF is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department and the Texas Commission on the Arts. All attendees and events are based on permitting schedules and are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice. For media credentials, please contact Kelly Lafargue at marketing@austinfilmfestival.com. Virtual Badges and Virtual Film Passes are available for purchase online or by phone at 1-800-310-FEST.
Sources: Hollywood Reporter / Deadline / Official website of Austin Film Festival /
Having finished the technical and post-production process, the feature film “The Badger” written and directed by Kazem Mollaie and produced by Sina Saeidian is ready for the world premiere in the 23rd. Shanghai
International film festival next week.
After “Kupal”, “The Badger ” is the second feature film by Kazem Mollaie. The story is about a woman called Soodeh Sharifzadegan, played by Vishka Asayesh, who is involved with a difficult challenge in her private life , while she is close to her second marriage.
This movie will have its world premiere next week on Monday 27th of July in the “Asian New Talent Award Section” on the “23rd. Shanghai International Film Festival” in China.
“Vishka Asayesh” (comedian and famous Iranian actress), has appeared in the exclusive role as the story hero and the other co-stars like Hasan Majuni, Mehraveh Sharifinia, Behnoosh Bakhtiari, Reza Behbudi, Mehdi Hosseini Nia, Siavash Cheraghi Pour, Mahmoud Nazaralian, Hamid Reza Mohammadi, Mohammad Amin Asadi, Yadollah Shademani, Neda Dehshiri and Gohar Kheirandish have played a role in this film.
The main crew of “The Badger” include:
Scriptwriter and Director: Kazem Mollaie, Producer: Sina Saeidian, Director of Photography: Majid Gorjian, First Assistant Director and Program Coordinator: Alaleh Hashemi, Editor: Babak Ghaem, Make-Up Artist: Mahmoud Dehghani, Sound Recordist: Mohammad Kian Ersi, Sound Designer and Mixer: Hosein Abolsedgh, Music Composer: Mehdi Panahi, Set Designer: Monir Razizadeh, Costume Designer: Neda Nasr, Production Manager: Hamed Azadi, Title Designer & Visual Effects: Amir Mehran, Special Effects: Iman Karamian, First Camera Assistant: Daruish Rajaei, Script Supervisor: Mahshid Sadeghi, Still Photographer: Yousef Abdolrezaei, Fatemeh Taghavi, Procurement Manager: Amir Jafari Nejad
Source: MEHR / ifilm / ISNA / yjc / Ansar / Press Tv
Iranian ‘The Badger’ to be screened in “Shanghai Film Festival”
Iranian movie ‘The Badger’ directed by “Kazem Mollaie” is to be screened at the China’s “23rd Shanghai International Film Festival” (SIFF).
Iranian movie ‘The Badger’ has been selected to go on screen at the 2020 edition of the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) in the Asian New Talent category as its international debut.
Directed by Kazem Mollaie, the movie narrates the story of a 40-year-old woman who, right before her second marriage, faces a strange incident.
Vishka Asayesh, Hasan Majuni, Mehraveh Sharifinia, Behnoosh Bakhtiari, Reza Behbudi, Mehdi Hosseininia, Siavash Cheraghi Pour, Mahmoud Nazaralian, Hamid-Reza Mohammadi, Mohammad-Amin Asadi, Yadollah Shademani, Neda Dehshiri and Gohar Kheirandish are on the movie’s cast list.
The 23rd SIFF, one of the largest film festivals in East Asia, was set to be held in June, but it was postponed due to coronavirus outbreak to July 18-27.
The main crew of “The Badger” include: Scriptwriter and Director: Kazem Mollaie, Producer: Sina Saeidian, Director of Photography: Majid Gorjian, First Assistant Director and Program Coordinator: Alaleh Hashemi, Make-Up Artist: Mahmoud Dehghani, Sound Recordist: Mohammad Kian Ersi, Production Designer: Monir Razi Zadeh, Music Composer: Mehdi Panahi, Editor: Babak Ghaem, Costume Designer: Neda Nasr, First Camera Assistant: Daruish Rajaei, Title Designer & Visual Effects: Amir Mehran, Special Effects: Iman Karamian, Script Supervisor: Mahshid Sadeghi, Production Manager: Hamed Azadi, Still Photographer: Yousef Abdolrezaei, Procurement Manager: Amir Jafari Nejad
Iran will present “The Badger” to international film festivals in early 2020.
“The Badger”, the Iranian feature film, is written and directed by “Kazem Mollaie” and produced by “Sina Saeedian”, has just officially wrapped in Tehran and it’s time for post-production to start.
After the successful film “Kupal” (2017), “The Badger” is the second Mollaie’s film which is expected will be announcing its international release in early 2020.
Nothing summarises the story more than “if you want a friend, tame me”, Mollaie said. Mollaie’s first film, “Kupal” has screened in more than 70 International Film Festivals. It has received the best film awards at “The 6th. Brasov International Film Festival” & “The 12th. Hamilton Film Festival” in Canada, “The 34th. Bogota Film Festival” in Colombia, “The 3rd. Arthouse Asia Film Festival” in India, “The 26th. Berkeley Video & Film Festival”, & “The 7th. Weyauwega International Film Festival”, & “The 13th. Huntington Beach Film Festival” and “5th. The Fine Arts Film Festival” in the U.S..
Moreover, Sina Saeidian as the producer, in the early part of his career, he did various technical jobs such as executive producer in “Chanel” and “African Violet” and producer in “Nobody Dies Here”.
“Vishka Asayesh” (comedian and famous Iranian actress), has appeared in the exclusive role as the story hero and the other co-stars like Hasan Majuni, Mehraveh Sharifinia, Gohar Kheirandish, Behnoosh Bakhtiari, Reza Behbudi, Mehdi Hosseininia, Siavash Cheraghi Pour, Mahmoud Nazaralian, Yadollah Shademani have played a role in this film.
The main crew of “The Badger” include:
Scriptwriter and Director: Kazem Mollaie, Producer: Sina Saeidian, Director of Photography: Majid Gorjian, First Assistant Director and Program Coordinator: Alaleh Hashemi, Make-Up Artist: Mahmoud Dehghani, Sound Recordist: Mohammad Kian Ersi, Production Designer: Monir Razi Zadeh, Music Composer: Mehdi Panahi, Editor: Babak Ghaem, Costume Designer: Neda Nasr, First Camera Assistant: Daruish Rajaei, Title Designer & Visual Effects: Amir Mehran, Special Effects: Iman Karamian, Script Supervisor: Mahshid Sadeghi, Production Manager: Hamed Azadi, Still Photographer: Yousef Abdolrezaei, Procurement Manager: Amir Jafari Nejad
Gohar Kheirandish joins ‘The badger’
Iranian star Gohar Kheirandish has joined new project “The badger”.
The renowned actress is to appear before the camera in the movie directed by Kazem Mollaie.
She is known to ifilm viewers by her roles in many films and series, including ‘Low Heights’, ‘Sheida’, ‘The Green Journey’, ‘Made in Iran’, ‘The Pahlavi Hat’, ‘The Forbidden Fruit’ and ‘Setayesh’.
Before Kheirandish, Vishka Asayesh and Hasan Majouni had joined Mollaie’s latest directorial experience.
Produced by Sina Saeedian, the film which was recently granted a production license is currently in the final phase of pre-production with filming set to begin in the near future, according to a press release.
The flick will be Mollaie’s second feature following his award-winning film ‘Kupal’ which appeared frequently at international film festivals.
‘The badger’ is expected to premiere at the “38th annual Fajr Film Festival” in February 2020.
Hassan Majouni joins ‘The Badger’
Hassan Majouni the latest to join cast of ‘The Badger’.
Iranian actor Hassan Majouni is the latest addition to the cast of the Iranian film ‘The Badger’.
The award-winning actor is the film’s second addition following the announcement of Vishka Asayesh as the first member of the cast late last week.
Majouni will be starring as the film’s lead male actor with Asayesh starring as the film’s female lead.
Winner of the Best Actor award at Spain’s Sitges International Film Festival for his performance in Mani Haghighi’s film ‘Pig’, ‘The Badger’ will be the 13th flick in the actor’s career.
Written and directed by Kazem Mollaie and produced by Sina Saeedian, the film is currently undergoing the final stages of makeup testing in pre-production with filming set to begin sometime next week.
Other renowned actors will be featured in the cast with their names being announced upon completion of the makeup testing.
‘The Badger’ will be filmed entirely in Tehran with shooting expected to take approximately two months and the editing stage set to occur simultaneously.
The film is expected to be ready in time for the 38th annual Fajr Film Festival in February 2020.
Director of the award-winning film ‘Kupal’, ‘The Badger’ will be the second feature film in Mollaie’s filmmaking career.
Kazem Mollaie’s Second Movie Coming Soon;
Vishka Asayesh became the “The badger” of comfort
Licensing for the film “The badger” will begin soon, directed by Kazem Mollaie and produced by Sina Saeedian.
According to Borna Culture and Art News Agency, the film is the second mullah to be released after Kupal’s successful film, and Vishka Asayesh is the first actor to appear in the film so far. It’s completely different. “The badger” is the first film Comfort will have in front of his camera in year two.
Kupal is the first of Kazem Mollaie’s art and experimental group to be released last spring and has been featured in more than 70 foreign festivals and has been awarded at festivals such as “6th. Brasov International Film Festival”, “34th. Bogota Film Festival”,” 26th. Berkeley American Festival”,”12th. Hamilton Film Festival”,”7th. Weyauwega International Film Festival”,”13th. Huntington Beach Film Festival “,”5th. The Fine Arts Film Festival “and … .
Sina Saidian, the producer of “The badger”, has previously appeared as a producer on “Chanel” and “African Violet” and produced “Nobody’s Dying Here.”
The film has several other prominent actors that will be announced in the coming days. It is expected to be the first film screening at the 38th Fajr Film Festival.
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