Issue 031 - Nice 2021 by Film Fest International

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WELCOME TO NICE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2021 All articles, including all editorial used in this publication (whether printed or digital) do not necessarily represent the views of any of the International Film Festivals representatives, staff or associates. No part of this magazine, whether printed or electronic may be reproduced, stored or copied without the express prior written consent of the publisher. Requests for permission should be directed to: publishing@filmthemagazine.com. Although we make every effort to ensure all of the information in this publication is up to date and accurate the publisher takes no responsibility for any omissions or errors. The publisher accept no responsibility for the materials supplied including (but no limited to) all editorial and advertising copy and any omissions, errors or matters of copyright. All materials supplied for use is solely the responsibility of the supplier or suppliers of the material reproduced in this publication whether in mechanical or digital format. Where editorial copy is sent late. We are not able to return the article to the filmmakers for signing off. Film The Magazine Limited is not accepted the responsibility for copy have not been correct.

Carl Tooney Publisher / President of Film Fest International publishing@filmthemagazine.com Adam Tinnion Festival Director Kaoru Kajitani Asia Pacific Representative/Sales Roy Abbot Screening Manager

Dear Filmmaker Welcome to Nice 2021. I hope you have a wonderful time with us at our online Film Festival. My team and I look forward to meeting all of you! In these testing times, I have found that this online format works very well. Having all filmmakers and professionals mixing together makes for an ideal, fun and professional environment. For the filmmaker, this helps them engage with professionals which then allows them to make new contacts and the possibility to do business with each other in the future. We’ve seen a higher than normal number of documentary films entered into the Nice Film Festival 2021. It’s a reflection on the filmmaking landscape in a post Covid world where filmmaking has to take place in smaller bubbles - very often solo. This Festival edition includes professionals from countries around the world. You are all skilled filmmakers and I wanted to give as many opportunities as possible for you to find out about the markets open to you once you have made your film. For Script authors I wanted to give you opportunities to meet filmmakers that may be looking for scripts to produce, or find partners to produce your script yourself. I hope you will be able to make contacts and ask questions and find your path a little easier once you are ready to go to market with your project. We have with us the support of industry professionals from many sectors and with a combined knowledge amounting to decades of experience at the very highest level of Filmmaking. My team and I sincerely hope you enjoy our online event. Carl Tooney

Shauna Abbot Administrator

President Nice International Filmmakers Festival

Liam Smith Video Director - Klaxon Creative liam.smith@klaxoncreative.com Chris Joy Marketing Director - Klaxon Creative chris.joy@klaxoncreative.com Josh Denny Graphic Designer - Klaxon Creative Team@klaxoncreative.com

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Sang Del Drac

Written by Marni Sullivan and Vincent McLean Directed by Vincent McLean Produced by Vincent McLean and Jaime Blakely Associate Producer Andrew Donaldson

In the not-too-distant future, dark forces search for a way to cheat death. It’s believed that Sang del Drac, the blood of the dragon, can only be found in sacred trees deep within the jungles, but some think the myth points to a different source. We follow Angeni, whose blood carries powerful traits, as she flees captivity; and Kiao, the mercenary hired to recover her. Unlikely, undead allies appear to aid Angeni in her escape from the evil men that would use her for their own purposes CAST:Vincent McLean as Kiao, Lumi Cavazos as Desponia, Claudia Esquivel as Angeni, Jaime Blakely as Zurie, Lila Luna as Roslyn, Loiita Webelman as Thana, Erick M Mora as Biel, Aaron Grone as Nemlios (voice)

The Eagle’s Nest Synopsis: During a night of debauchery, Paris and Samantha discover 5 million euros in a hotel room. Later, a thief breaks into Paris’s house, kills her mother, her sister and leaves her for dead. With nothing else to lose, what begins as a search for the truth quickly turns into violence and disturbing revelations. In a world full of lies and deception, will Paris uncover the truth about the murder of her family? From the award-winning director Olivier Assoua, comes The Eagle’s Nest, an independent, self-funded, low budget action/ thriller set in Africa on the issue of immigration. The plot follows two close friends, Paris and Samantha: both young sex workers. Paris dreams of a better life in Europe while, Samantha wishes to improve her stock in Cameroon. The choice they make pits them against each other and forms the emotional centre of the film. The film is set largely in rural Africa, allowing the viewer to experience the claustrophobia of Paris and Samantha’s lives and, as we bear witness to frequent acts of patriarchal violence. The Eagle’s Nest won Best Director and Best Actress for the debutant actors Felicity Asseh at the Hollywood International Diversity Film Festival 2021. Best First Time Director at the Silk Road Film Awards Cannes 2020. Finalist at the Wales International Film Festival 2020. Semi-finalist at Cannes International Independent Film Festival – CIIFF 2020. Nominated in the Dark Maters category at Austin Film Festival 2020. Nominated for Best cinematography at Raindance Film Festival 2020. Nominated for the Best film by an African living abroad at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) 2020 The co-producers, co-writer as well as the two lead characters in the film are women, which makes a powerful statement about women in film today.

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Maggie Anwer Maggie is an Egyptian Italian Producer, Director, Writer, Model, and Distributor. She is the President of FHFF,and La Femme Film Festival, cofounder for 2 film in America and canada. In addition, she received a degree from Harvard University for William Shakespeare’s Merchant Of Venice, from Cambridge and King’s College London in filmmaking , production and Distribution. Honoured for her work at numerous Film Festivals around the world and sighted as one of the most effective female filmmakers in the middle east, Maggie has received many awards for her work. She is the CEO OF MAGICA Productions and Magica House, founder of MAG MAGAZINE, the youngest member in the chamber of the cinema industry for Egypt, a member of the Arab Film Institution, and member in Cinema Syndicate. She is also a consultant for four prestigious European Film Festivals. Her distribution company won more than 12 international awards. In addition, she received a degree from Harvard University for William Shakespeare’s Merchant Of Venice, from Cambridge and King’s College London in filmmaking , production and Distribution. Maggie Anwer, Filmmaker and Distributor, the first female filmmaker be a consultant for four European film festivals, she was a member in international film festivals like Nice IFF,Milan,Madrid and Malmoo AFF Maggie Anwar is the first female filmmaker to be a consultant in European festivals. In addition to the London Festival, she is also a consultant for the Milan, Nice, and Madrid festivals. Maggie Anwer is a director, producer, and writer. best known for producing,directing several documentary films that reflect the career of many artists such as Al Fatenah, a film about the late Faten Hamama. Faten Hamama Film Festival, which is currently held in London. In 2018, she was chosen by the British producer and president of the Global Film Festival, Carl Tooney, to be the authorized distributor for films which will be shown in the festival through her Magica House company, as well as to serve as the official consultant of this festival as the first woman that holds this position and the youngest member in chamber of film industry, The cofounder of WICA Los Angeles,Vancouver. She is a supporter of women in Arab countries, giving help to introduce filmmaking by providing workshops, producing plays, and a film for women in Saudi Arabia. She created a festival in Morocco and Ethiopia and conducted a workshop for children to be introduced to the world of film. As a model, Maggie has worked on numerous campaigns, including ‘No for female Circumcision’, and was a VIP guest at the Royal College of London for the celebration of the international day of action in women’s health. She graduated from Mass Communication Faculty, is based in London and travels globally She is preparing for a new film festival about the nature called Nature IFF Films about our planet.Animals, birds, plants, climate, environment, natural catastrophes, and The nature of human beings. Aim: to raise awareness about nature.

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The Great Suppression

We’re pleased to present THE GREAT SUPPRESSION feature documentary film, via the Nice International Film Festival. This film reveals a “peak behind the curtain” to some of the most controversial stories to arise during the American COVID-19 lockdown that made national US headlines, featuring the catastrophic impact that the Pennsylvania Governor and Health Secretary’s decisions, in response to the COVID pandemic, had on people’s lives and livelihoods. The US state of Pennsylvania is historically known as a beacon of freedom, from the time of America’s formation, even to the time of legalized slavery of African Americans. And yet, during the COVID lockdowns, gubernatorial decisions were made that triggered a constitutional crisis and the uprising of citizens fearful of losing those blood-bought freedoms and rights in the name of safety. As one barber shop owner quoted Benjamin Franklin in the film, entreating other small-business owners to stand with him in the fight: “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” This story of loss, grief, financial ruin, fear, death, and the unquenchable human fight for justice, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in the human spirit, is one that has played out beyond Pennsylvania to across the United States, and even in cities of countries around the world. Consequently, while THE GREAT SUPPRESSION takes place in Pennsylvania, in many ways, this is the universal story of one of the darkest times of our collective history. We must learn from what happened so that we do not make the same mistakes again.

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We’re honored that NIFF selected THE GREAT SUPPRESSION for its lineup of stellar and powerful films for this year’s festival. We’re also greatly honored to have been nominated for Best Film; Best Feature Documentary; Best Director of a Feature Documentary; and Best Editing of a Documentary! We’re so blessed to know that the film has keenly resonated with its festival leaders and judges, and that NIFF believes this is a story befitting of NIFF’s savvy international audience. The support and shared values between the wonderful citizens of France and America has deep roots in our history, dating back to the military support provided at America’s Revolutionary War, therefore resulting in American freedom from Great Britain. That same freedom is symbolized by the blazing torch atop the Statue of Liberty at Ellis Island NY, an emblematic French gift in memory of our Declaration of Independence. We are privileged to be in the company of such talented filmmakers, from around the world, and we wish you all great success at NIFF and along your filmmaking journeys, as you share your stories with the world.

Debbie Wright is a Pennsylvania filmmaker specializing in hard-hitting, precise documentary films that challenge and engage audiences around the world. She applies her business, consulting and journalism background, at her awardwinning production company Do What’s Wright Media, to produce films that tackle complex issues with the goal of producing change, launching social movements and creating the means for intelligent dialogue across cultural and societal divides.

Xavier Garcia and Jonathan Garcia are Boston-based filmmakers known for their cerebral narrative storytelling and dynamic truth-seeking documentary films. They are co-founders and oft collaborators at the award-winning production company, Mount Harvest. Having spent the last seventeen years working in the Independent Film industry, the Garcia Brothers have dedicated themselves to creating media with purpose; Indelible stories that both entertain and foster lasting esteem. Mieux vaut prévenir que guérir

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Dates: 23rd - 27th August 2021 https://www.filmfestinternational.com/ Contact us at info@filmfestinternational.com for more information!

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Flying Without Wings Title: FLYING WITHOUT WINGS Genre: drama Length: 99 minutes Country: China Year: 2020 Directors: Shen Zhu, Weijun Zhang, Chu Wang Cast: Bin Liu, Zheng, Tie, Qing Wei, Bao’an Li, Jingmin Luo, Xilin Zhang Language: Chinese Subtitles: Mandarin/English Location: Chunhua, Shaanxi, China

Background Poverty alleviation is a major project in the public interest in China. It is not only a truthful reflection of China’s conviction in the path towards socialism with Chinese characteristics and in the theories, systems, and culture thereof, but it has also become a highlight in the global cause against poverty. The movie FLYING WITHOUT WINGS is a film about the targeted poverty alleviation campaign in Shaanxi produced by Shaanxi Cheer Studio in year 2020, in which China fulfilled its targets in alleviating poverty in the whole country. The movie is based on a real story about Liu Bin, a young farmer from Chunhua County, Shaanxi, West China, who was selected as one of the Best Person of China in 2018. The story revolves around the subject of poverty alleviation and assisting persons with disabilities. It is a very contemporary work that embodies the enterprising spirit of perseverance and the pursuit of a better life.

Synopsis Liu Wenwu, a farmer, lost his arms in an unfortunate mechanical accident when he is working outside of his hometown. Unable to deal with this sudden tragedy, his wife kicked him out together with their little boy. With nowhere to go, Liu had to return to his hometown, Chunhua County in Shaanxi Province, with his little boy. Almost in despair from the pressure of raising his son and supporting his old parents, Liu decided to end his life. Heard about his tragedy, Wang Qi, the young cadre in charge of the poverty alleviation campaign in the village, begins to help him rebuild his confidence. With the help from the Party and the Government, Liu manages to set up a professional livestock cooperative which not only helps him get rid of poverty, but also allows him to lead his fellow villagers onto a road to a well-off life. 20

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Production The producer Zhang Weijun and his team started the development of the film in early 2018. They spent nearly a year in a village in Chunhua County, scouting the location, experiencing the local life, polishing the script, and doing detailed rehearsals. They paid multiple visits to Liu Bin, ate with him, lived with him, and herded sheep with him to know more about his life and thoughts. They also invited well-known Chinese screenwriters, Lu Wei and Hu Kun, as screenwriting advisers to improve the script, which was finalized after seven rounds of revision. After deliberation, the directing team decided to invite Liu Bin himself as the protagonist Liu Wenwu in the film. In the end, he turned out to be a standout actor in the movie due to his simple and unadorned acting style as well as his deep and subtle sentiments, which left a deep impression on the audience. His truthful acting, understating yet so telling, impressed even the professional cast in the film. In the first scene, where Liu Wenwu carried his small boy on his back to his parents’ house after losing his arms, his deaf and mute mother was happy to see her son and grandson back, but cried out in tears once she realized that her son had lost his arms. Then, in a close-up of Liu Bin, he looked deathly pale and did not shed a tear. Liu Bin explained to the director later that his tears had already dried. Everyone instantly understood him. Besides Liu Bin, many young and middle-aged professional actors also joined the cast. Their excellent acting skills rendered it an even more outstanding work. Moreover, as it is a movie of a charitable nature that focuses on the subject of poverty alleviation, many casts accepted to act in it for only a nominal remuneration or even with no remuneration. Thanks to them, the production cost can be controlled in a minimum amount but with satisfied qualities. Visually, this film is a distinctively realist work as it was shot in Chunhua County and sought to be a faithful representation of real events. The movie allows the audience to see an original, impressive, and truthful review of the poverty alleviation campaign on the Weibei Plateau in Shaanxi. This is a low-budget movie. Despite the budget, limited time, and conflicting schedules of the cast members, the crew finished the production as planned. Filmed in August 2018, it has China Premiere in Xianyang City of Shaanxi province on March 19, 2021 and now it is in the theatre now.

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The Watchmaker is a profile Japanese watchmaker Takumi Oshiro as he nears

The Watchmaker

completion of his greatest masterpiece. Starring Hidetoshi Imura (of the American version of The Office), this comedic take on documentaries about artisans has been delighting audiences over its festival run. It has played 30 festivals in 11 countries since its premiere in Oslo, Norway. Winner, 2020 Lift-Off Tokyo Film Festival, 2020 London Independent Film Awards, 2020 Catalina Film Festival, 2021 Night of Comedy Shorts “Uniquely funny, beautifully shot.” - Tokyo Lift-Off Film Festival Judges Written & Directed by Charlie Fonville Starring Hidetoshi Imura Director of Photography - Matt Garrett Music by Jonathan Dinerstein a Not Pictured Production

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cinemaeveritellc.com

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The Cinema eVerité LLC project “Dale Johnson’s Twisted Tales of Inhuman Nature” is an incredible series of socially conscious yet entertaining short films. They are twisted, dark, powerful, meaningful, intensely creative, and shine a light on the human nature “sins” that plague our personal and group relationships within society. Imagined as a blend of the Twilight Zone and Black Mirror, each mini bite-sized five to twelve-minute Tale offers insights into a contemporary human issue affecting our ethical and moral behaviors and often society as a whole. The “Twisted Tales” have been accepted, nominated, or awarded at: Newark, Nashville, Milan, Nice, Madrid, Indie X, London Golden Nugget, Antwerp, DUMBO, South Europe, and East Europe International Film Festivals. More Tales are in development in 2020, including one twisted bite-sized tale on immigration and another on the misshapen events from the year 2019. The Series is looking for collaborators, representation, and distribution. Cinema eVerité also produced a feature length film written and directed by critically acclaimed OffOff Broadway veteran Dale Johnson which is a unique tour-de-force psychological thriller that delves into the feminine psyche and societal sexuality standards. Founded by veteran theater writer/producer Dale Johnson in 2010, joined by producer Alexandra Tebano in 2018, Cinema eVerité LLC has shot both full-length movies and shorts.

Issue 031 - Nice 2021

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Issue 031 - Nice 2021