ARTHOUSE FILM NEWS - Cosmic Disco Detective Rene at Facets, Chicago 11/29/23

Get all the info here -  https://www.facebook.com/events/1452399418353534/

Sounds like a good organization doing a lot of useful work.  More info about them here -  http://www.charitywater.org/ Here's their video:

I filmed a part of my new movie Breakthrough Weekend at George's. Check out their blog here and their menu site here and their Facebook page here .  When you need good food in Sunset Park, Brooklyn (free home delivery) visit George's. All the Links: George’s Restaurant on Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/georgesdinersunsetpark George’s Restaurant on Tumblr -  http://georgesdiner.tumblr.com/ George’s Restaurant blog -  http://georgesdinersunsetpark.blogspot.com/ George’s Restaurant on Twitter -  https://twitter.com/GeorgesDiner George’s Restaurant Menu site -  http://georgesmenu.com/

Check out the review here -  http://www.examiner.com/review/indie-film-review-breakthrough-weekend-directed-by-sujewa-ekanayake From the review by Angelo Bell:  " Breakthrough Weekend tells the story of philosophical detective,  Sal , who has a roster of clients with special needs. Sal takes on a new protege,  Yevgeny , for this particular weekend and proceeds to introduce him to the crazy whacky world that has made Sal's "particular set of skills" of great value. Yevgeny has been perpetually depressed and detached from life for much of his adult life, despite writing a successful novel, and finds himself lost, confused and the perfect candidate for Sal's rare form of sociological and metaphysical motivation. As the two private dicks bond over a literally insane weekend, Yevgeny finds solace in knowing that he's not as fucked up as he thought, and Sal continues -- business as usual -- helping a slew of New York nutjobs get their lives back on track by overc

Get all the info plus a link to a great review of the film here .

Check out the event page & show your support for this NYC theatrical release of an excellent new indie film. -  https://www.facebook.com/events/1427228017543846/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular&source=1

Check out the event page & join it if you are going to be in NYC 6/12-18 & or if you want to show your support for an awesome indie film screening event -  https://www.facebook.com/events/664768526927703/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular&source=1

Get info on:  Where We Started NewFilmmakers NY screening  - June 10,  Breakthrough Weekend theatrical premiere  June 12,  Where We Started NYC theatrical premiere  June 12, Breakthrough Festival NYC (featuring Breakthrough Weekend, Where We Started, Matha, Mille Soya, Resurrection of Serious Rogers, Little Fishes, and shorts) - June 12-18 . All screenings at Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Ave, NY, NY 10003 Contact:  breakthroughfestnyc@gmail.com All info at this link -  http://diyfilmmaker.blogspot.com/2014/05/upcoming-nyc-indie-film-events-where-we.html

Check out The New York Times review of Palo Alto here . - S

Check out The New York Times review of Ida here. - S

BREAKTHROUGH WEEKEND a film by Sujewa Ekanayake. Reviewed by Rick Schmidt   When my Feature Filmmaking at Used-Car Prices book first came out, I ended the Preface by saying, "In an age where motion pictures are being called the major new art form of the twentieth century, I think it is important that many more of these "features" are created outside the Hollywood system, by artists who have something to say with an original and personal point of view." Well, with his new feature, Breakthrough Weekend ( 80 minutes, Color, ©2014 ) , writer/director Sujewa Ekanayake has done just that. Very rarely do I get to see a movie this unique, with a fresh new approach, that can't be readily compared to much else. And because it is an original , filmmaker Ekanayake having invented his own brand of storytelling and interplay of characters, it will demand more from an audience than, say, a Spiderman, X-Men or Scorsese film (sorry Martin, but your movies are 'c

That or he has a very poor understanding that small distributors, foreign distributors, art distributors, and individual filmmakers have always carried out small/relatively low budget distribution projects - including self-distributed projects - and that this type of activity is what created the independent film movement and practice and also what sustains it, and that in NYC, it is an awesome thing that New York Times reviews every movie that plays in the city for a week or more (very useful thing for small distributors who might get a good review, also very useful for audiences in discovering new voices).  Read the sad article and ask yourself why someone who hates indie film distribution and indie films getting reviewed by the Times is writing for Indiewire (I believe that 'indie' in Indiewire stands for independent film, not certain though :) -  http://blogs.indiewire.com/criticwire/memo-to-the-new-york-times-quit-reviewing-every-movie - Sujewa ::

Check out the review at 24/7 Cinema blog .

It's going to be a very busy indie film screening late spring for me. Here's info on NYC indie film screenings - a US theatrical premiere/1 week run (Breakthrough Weekend), a NYC theatrical premiere/1 week run ( Where We Started ), a new film festival (featuring US & NYC theatrical premieres of additional movies, Breakthrough Festival NYC) - that I am producing & also one that I am promoting (WWS 6/10). :: Where We Started A film by Chris Hansen NewFilmmakers New York Screening at Anthology Film Archives 6/10, 9 PM More info about screening here -  http://www.newfilmmakers.com/ And more info about the film here -  http://www.wherewestartedmovie.com/home.html Note:  Where We Started is now playing in LA - 5/2 - 5/8 at Arena Cinema Hollywood LA Weekly review of Where We Started here . :: Where We Started NYC Theatrical Premiere June 12-18, daily For more info, go here at Anthology Film Archives as a part of Breakthrough Festival NYC more info h

Saw Jim Jarmusch's vampire romance comedy Only Lovers Left Alive last night at Lincoln Center, at the start of the movie's theatrical run.  Got to speak w/ Jarmusch for a minute, always a blast :) Filmmakers Sujewa Ekanayake (L) and Jim Jarmusch (R), 4/11/14 * More info about the film & show times at Lincoln Center here . And here's the trailer for the movie: ::

Less than 20 hours to go on the Little Fishes Kickstarter campaign.  Go here to check out the trailer, donate, & become a part of this excellent project.

First, Little Fishes Kickstarter is down to it's final week/7 days of campaigning for finishing & release funding (to get to her most important & useful stretch goal of $8K, she needs to raise about $5K-$6K more).   Go check it out now & see if you want to become a part of that excellent indie art film project. Next, here's the latest on Alexia's projects, from a recent press release: Filmmaker Alexia Anastasio completes work on new film Little Fishes, crowdfunds for release, participates in a film finance panel discussion, and talks about her work in new interview Filmmaker Alexia Anastasio has completed major work on her new film Little Fishes. Little Fishes is a romantic drama about the relationship between two women. The film was inspired by the writings of D.H. Lawrence. The film will be submitted to film festivals in the coming days. Anastasio will attempt to screen the film at the Cannes Film Festival and Market in France later this yea

Check out the recent post at Breakthrough Festival NYC blog here . Posters!  Links! All final info about the festival coming on 3/31! ::

I will keep a running list here.  New links will be added as they become alive.   Official festival website coming on 3/31. - Sujewa BREAKTHROUGH FESTIVAL LINKS 1 - Breakthrough Festival Blogger Blog -  http://breakthroughfestnyc.blogspot.com/ 2 - Breakthrough Festival Facebook page (for Likes) 3 - Breakthrough Festival Facebook Group page More coming soon... ::

Every city needs a place like this.  A NYC original.  A rare, excellent thing.  Check out how you can support Anthology Film Archives here .   - Sujewa

Little Fishes Trailer 2 from Alexia Anastasio on Vimeo . * For more on the film, go here, check out & support the project, join this exciting cinematic journey:

Check out the review here .  Sounds like an interesting movie. - Sujewa ::

By Sujewa Ekanayake   Filmmaker Alexia Anastasio While gender should not be an issue when it comes to making movies, unfortunately, at this point in time, women have a relatively more difficult time launching and sustaining their filmmaking careers (see here , here , here , also here ).  No doubt this situation will be corrected in the future and most likely that will happen with the help of the next wave of female filmmakers - as they figure out what works for each of them, what doesn't, and how to improve the overall situation. Alexia Anastasio is a female independent filmmaker who has made several films and is nearing completion on her new film Little Fishes . I spoke with her recently about her past projects, the current project, and future challenges. Sujewa - Alexia, thanks for taking the time out for this interview. Let's jump in to the subject that I mentioned at top, why do you think, at this point in time, it appears to be more difficult for female indepen

By end of March we will have final posters, promo art, final trailers, final clips, and we will be launching an epic marketing campaign to spread the word about the June 12-18/one week long run of Breakthrough Weekend at Anthology Film Archives in NYC.  Also film festival news coming by the end of March.  In the meantime, enjoy the early notice promo image below :) - ::

The Embassy of Sri Lanka Press Release    US SENATORS INTRODUCE RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SRI LANKA'S DOMESTIC RECONCILIATION PROCESS Calls on President Obama to adopt balanced & comprehensive policy towards Sri Lanka Eleven senior Members of the United States Senate introduced a bipartisan Senate Resolution (S. Res. 364) on Thursday, Feb 27 expressing support for Sri Lanka's internal reconciliation process and the significant overall progress the Country has made since the end of the civil war--some 5 years ago. The Senators also called on the President of the United States to develop a "comprehensive and well balanced policy towards Sri Lanka", supportive of promoting U.S. interests including respect for human rights, democracy  the rule of law as well as taking onto account the United States economic and security interests. Senate Resolution 364 recognizes the immense suffering of the Sri Lankan people caused by the 26-year conflict, and the genuine aspir

Check out the official website for Jen Senko's documentary The Brainwashing of My Dad here -  http://www.thebrainwashingofmydad.com ::

2/27 Update: Petition for the White House re: not bringing counter-productive war crimes charges at this point in time -  https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/safeguard-sovereignty-sri-lanka-and-not-pass-resolution-against-sri-lanka-alleged-war-crimes/VvwB6LgR Sri Lanka needs more time to recover from a brutal 29 year long civil war. While the Sri Lankan government has done a lot for peace & reconciliation since the war ended 5 years ago, and there is a lot more to do, calls for war crimes charg es by the UN & US at this point will help no one. Check it out & sign the petition if you agree. * From the letter : "This is a witch hunt against my people who have suffered enough with terrorism for nearly 29 years that we who live in the US do not understand.  The threat of a third resolution against Sri Lanka due to impatience, with unreal expectations of what  you  believe should have been accomplished in a short period of 5 years, fails to credit the work c

getting ready for the upcoming release of my new film breakthrough weekend.  making a list of previous screenings - for various purposes.  i've been showing/sharing my films with audiences at screening venues since 1992.  here is a quick, incomplete list of some places i've screened: - the kennedy center, washington, dc - cineplex odeon foundry, washington, dc - cafe metro, washington, dc - atlanta film festival 2009 - the pioneer theater, new york city - anthology film archives, new york city - northwest film forum, seattle - visions cinema, washington, dc i'll have a complete list available in march. my films so far are: 1 - fresh coffee, 2 - wild diner, 3 - 17 dc poets, 4 -  date number one , 5 -  indie film blogger road trip , 6 - brooklyn fantastic (not yet complete), 7 -  breakthrough weekend (mid-2014 release) - sujewa ::

Little Fishes Crowdfunding campaign from Alexia Anastasio on Vimeo . 1 - IndieGoGo page -  http://igg.me/at/little-fishes-movie/x/1133575 2 - Alexia (director) Facebook, Twitter posts page -  https://www.facebook.com/alexiaanastasioactress?v=app_106171216118819 3 - Alexia (director) Facebook timeline -  https://www.facebook.com/alexiaanastasioactress 4 - Alexia (director) interviews Max Cutler about Little Fishes -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR90nmpleVM 5 - crowdfunding-sites.us page for Little Fishes campaign -  http://crowdfunding-sites.us/news/campaigns/little-fishes-indiegogo-campaign/ 6 - Alexia (director) on Tumblr -  http://alexiaanastasio.tumblr.com 7 - Alexia on Twitter -  https://twitter.com/alexiaanastasio 8 - Alexia on Instagram -  http://ink361.com/app/users/230123693/photos 9 - Alexia interviews actress Vivian Kane -  http://www.frequency.com/video/alexia-interviews-actress-vivian-kane/148862717/-/5-20048288

Looks like a great new project.  Check it out here & support & spread the word -  http://igg.me/at/little-fishes-movie/x/1133575 Little Fishes Crowdfunding campaign from Alexia Anastasio on Vimeo .

L-R - Eric (with daughter) from Vamp Bikers, Jane from Warhol's Cars video, Jeanine (seated) from Vamp Bikers, Sujewa from Breakthrough Weekend, Manuel from Vamp Bikers, Adrian from Sex, Love & Salsa, not pictured - James from Brooklyn Unemployed. The filmmakers plan on working together on distributing & marketing their current projects and on making new films. Links to the films: Breakthrough Weekend - Facebook , website Brooklyn Unemployed - Facebook Sex, Love & Salsa - Facebook , website Vamp Bikers - Facebook More from this group soon… ::

They are going to pay their filmmakers!  Something that many filmmakers requested from film festivals for a long time.  Way to lead on positive change there T/F.  Get all the info at this Filmmaker mag blog article . - Sujewa ::

Check out Brooklyn Fitness blog by Sharissa Reichert -  http://brooklynfitnesssharissa.blogspot.com ::

More info here . - Sujewa ::

From mid-2013.  Still great.  From the interview : "S&A: If not a movement, are there any specific filmmakers that you find are doing interesting work? HG: Well you know, they start and they disappear, and the reason is because they don't enter into joint relationships. Most, especially the young filmmakers, do not see strength in communal or collective existence. They just think they're going to conquer the world as individuals. There is no world like that. In cinema it's always, even in Hollywood, a collective surge.  A group of filmmakers enter and take over power. And so individual efforts do exist, which I've seen left and right, but they do not understand the collective, the communal, the importance of working together. And when you don't work together you can't emerge as a force. It becomes what some call a “lonely struggle” and individual self-destruction." Read the rest of the interview at Shadow & Act . - Sujewa ::

Indie Film Blogger Road Trip from Sujewa Ekanayake on Vimeo .

Those plus whatever other methods you can think of will work for meeting the expenses of your indie art films.  Or your indie genre film or just indie film or film/movie - if one wants to be very simple about identifying the product or work being made. Or one can try to work for a studio, work with other producers, work for a TV network, etc to get the movie or TV show made & out.  You might not fully own your work through this route however. The important thing is, with digital video & the web where it is, it is now possible to make & distribute movies for $0 if you had to (grab your iPhone, grab 2 volunteer actors, shoot a short, upload to Vimeo or YouTube, promote it through social media, etc).  Also, if you want to take the time to do so, you can spend a few years and raise a couple of million $s to make & release a movie w/ known actors, etc. Making a good movie is always a challenge.  Making money from movies is always a challenge.  But, if you want to make

... 2014 will be a breakthrough year for a new thing in indie film. Details coming to this blog in the coming days and weeks. Yes, indie film will transform the world for the better this year. It will be EPIC :) - Sujewa ::