By Jazz Tangcay, Leia Mendoza, Giana Levy, Andrew McGowan
Jeremy Strong (“Succession”) has joined “The White House Effect” as an executive producer following the film’s world premiere at the 2024 Telluride Film Festival.
The documentary takes audiences to 1988 using archival material to tell the story of how a “political battle in the George H.W. Bush administration changed the course of history.”
“This film examines the climate crisis – an issue that transcends politics – but it is politics that is the ultimate filibuster of hope and change,” said Strong. “The climate crisis is not a “con job” and facts and truth do matter. I believe that responsible storytelling has a vital role to play in this historical moment to awaken and inform. I am proud to join the filmmakers of ‘The White House Effect,’ which is essential viewing for anyone who cares about our fate and that of the planet.”
“The White House Effect” was produced by Noah Stahl, Josh Penn for the Department of Motion Pictures, and Cohen, Shenk and Justine Nagan for Actual Films. The film is co-production of Actual Films and the Department of Motion Pictures in association with Impact Partners, Far Star Media, Cinereach, Birdstreet Productions, and Two Square Feet.
Thursday, November 6
Mike Farrell Joins Documentary ‘The Window on Death Row’ as Executive Producer
Mike Farrell, the actor, producer and human rights advocate best known for playing Captain B.J. Hunnicutt on “M*A*S*H*” has joined the award-winning documentary “The Window on Death Row” as an executive producer.
Directed by Linda Freund, “The Window on Death Row” tells the story of Joaquín José Martínez, a Spaniard who was wrongfully convicted of double murder and sentenced to death in the state of Florida. He spent five years in prison and three on death row before he was exonerated with the help of the European Union. The film relays Martínez’s experience in his own words, shining a light on systemic injustices in criminal justice and capital punishment.
Farrell joins the film after thirty-one years as the president of Death Penalty Focus, a non-profit dedicated to the abolition of the death penalty. He was attracted to the documentary for its “unusual, touching and very inspiring” subject, stating of Martínez’s journey, “The possibility of someone rising out of the depths of despair to become not only a thoughtful but a caring, gentle and humane human being is one of the beauties of this film. This film is really a prayer—one those who watch it will profit from.”
“The Window on Death Row” made its world premiere at Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival in August, where it won the Grand Prize Audience Award for Best Documentary. It also won the Best Documentary Award at the La Femme International Film Festival and the Immaculate Heart Community Filmmaker Award at the LA Shorts International Film Festival.
The film will screen in Los Angeles at the New York Film Academy Screening Room on Nov. 18, followed by a Q&A with Farrell and Freund.
Loyola Marymount University and Sony Electronics Introduce Inaugural Social Impact Filmmaking Lab Cohort
Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television has announced the inaugural cohort of its LMU Sony Social Impact Lab, selecting five films and their filmmakers to receive funding and support in partnership with Sony Electronics.
The program selects project ideas that showcase the cinematic medium as a tool for social change. The inaugural cohort’s titles are “Keeper,” directed by Sujin Jung, “The Throw,” directed by Matthew Cheung, “Open Gate” directed by Adam Goldstick, “Car Thieves,” directed by Reed Barcellos and “Kon,” directed by Qin Qin. They address diverse, socially conscious themes such as incarceration, immigration, systemic violence, disability and grief.
All films will be produced in Los Angeles County as part of the school’s commitment to the “Stay in LA” filmmaking campaign. In addition to receiving funding and production support, they will have access to Sony’s state-of-the-art cinema technology and mentorship from Sony executives and LMU faculty lab advisors.
The completed works will premiere at a joint LMU x Sony showcase event in 2026.
Laika and Rizzoli Team Up For Five Project Collaboration
Laika and Rizzoli will embark on a five-project collaboration under the Rizzoli Universe imprint in celebration of Laika’s 20th anniversary. The deal will feature never-before-seen archival material and exclusive art and photography across Laika’s films, such as “ParaNorman,” “The Boxtrolls,” “Kubo and the Two Strings,” and “Missing Link.” “Coraline” and Laika’s next release, “Wildwood,” will get dedicated titles.
The first release in the partnership will be “Laika: The Magic Behind a Stop-Motion Dream Factory,” set for release on March 10, 2026. The book will illustrate “the story behind the studio and the hundreds of artists, craftspeople and technicians who brought the films to life, detailing every aspect of their creative process.”
Other releases include “The Art of Wildwood,” which will coincide with the release of the film through concept art, sketches, storyboards and photography, “The Art of Coraline” and the “Coraline Oracle Deck and Guidebook,” and a “Laika Tarot Deck and Guidebook” set for release in fall 2027.
Wednesday, November 5
Beyond Fest Expands to the Mid-West with Beyond Chicago at the Music Box Theater
Beyond Fest is broadening its geographical horizons with Beyond Chicago: an expansion of the L.A.-based genre film festival to the Windy City, created in partnership with and hosted at Chicago’s iconic Music Box Theater. The inaugural Beyond Chicago will take place April 2-5, 2026. Submissions are currently open on Film Freeway.
Beyond Fest is the United States’ largest genre-based film festival. Since its inception in 2013, the festival has taken place in Los Angeles in the fall, showcasing speculative cinema from around the globe. Beyond Chicago brings an original line-up of genre films, programmed in the same spirit, to the mid-west. In addition to the film screenings, Beyond Chicago will also feature talent appearances and late-night events at the Music Box Theater.
“The Music Box has always been a home for bold, visionary cinema,” says Music Box Theatre Owner, Brody Sheldon. “Partnering with Beyond Fest means bringing that energy to a new generation of filmmakers and fans — the ones who make this city’s film scene the loudest, smartest, and most passionate in the country.”
Tuesday, November 4
‘Colors of Time’ and ‘Love Me Tender’ Among American French Festival Film Award Winners
“Blessed Be Sixtine,” “The Deal,” “Colors of Time” and “Love Me Tender” are among the nine winners of The American French Festival Film Awards.
“Colors of Time” took the top honor winning the Audience Award; “Love Me Tender” won the Critics Award for best film; “Blessed Be Sixtine” won in the TV Movie Award category and “The Deal” was honored with the Audience Series award.
The other honors went to “Drugged and Abused: No More Shame” for the Documentary Film Award, “Nouvelle Vague” for the American Students Award, “The Girl In The Snow” won the First Feature Award, “The Sentinels” won the Jury Series Award and “The Lifeline” won the Short Film Award.
The American French Festival took place at the DGA Theater Complex in Los Angeles from Oct. 28 to Nov. 3.
Awards were voted on by the attending audience of TAFFF, members of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, a jury of entertainment professionals and students who participated in the TAFFF High School Screenings Program.
Of the 70 films and series showcased during the festival, 69 were in consideration for the awards. The nine awards included those for cinema, TV movie, first film by a director, TV series, documentary and short film.
A special awards ceremony and celebration for all the winners will be held in Paris at the SACEM headquarters on Nov. 12.
Additional awards presented during the festival included the Lifetime Award, presented to Jodie Foster and the Franco American Cultural Fund Award, presented to Richard Linklater. The CNC (French Film Board) also presented the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres to Linklater during the festival.
The American French Festival celebrated its 29th anniversary with over 14,000 festivalgoers in attendance.
Austin Film Festival Announces 2025 Audience Awards
The Austin Film Festival has revealed the winners of its 2025 Audience Awards. The awards were given out across eleven categories, honoring the filmmakers whose work resonated most with this year’s festivalgoers.
The Austin Film Festival and Writers Conference took place Oct. 23 – 30 in the titular city, presenting 180 films. Over 25,000 ballots were tallied for this year’s audience awards.
See the full list of winners on the festival’s website here.
Adam Sandler to Receive Career Achievement Honor at Movies for Grownups Awards
Actor, producer and comedian Adam Sandler will be honored with a Career Achievement award at this year’s Movies for Grownups Awards, presented with AARP. Sandler previously won Best Actor at the 2020 Movies for Grownups Awards for his performance in “Uncut Gems.” This year, he is being honored for his lifetime of wide-ranging work, including his latest performances in this summer’s “Happy Gilmore 2” and the upcoming “Jay Kelley.”
Movies for Grownups honors and champions films made by and for the 50-plus audience. It advocates against agism in the entertainment industry and for content that resonates with older viewers. The Awards ceremony will take place Jan. 10, 2026 in Beverly Hills, hosted by Alan Cumming. Great Performances will broadcast the event on Feb. 22, 2026 on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS app.
Monday, November 3
Joel Edgerton To Receive Actor’s Award at EnergaCamerimage Film Festival
Joel Edgerton will be honored with the Actor’s Award at the 33rd annual EnergaCamerimage Film Festival, set to take place from Nov. 15 to Nov. 22 in Toruń, Poland.
Edgerton will receive the award for his performance in Clint Bentley’s “Train Dreams,” following the story of Robert Grainier, who works to develop the railroad across the United States causing him to spend years away from his wife (Felicity Jones) and his daughter. Previously, Edgerton was nominated for the Golden Frog with his directorial feature “Boy Erased,” starring Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe during the EnergaCamerimage Film Festival in 2018
