News

Writer/director/producer Titus Kaphar’s semi-autobiographical feature debut is one step closer to opening in theaters.

The first trailer for Kaphar’s “Exhibiting Forgiveness” introduces André Holland as Kaphar’s onscreen surrogate Tarrell, who is a famous painter grappling with his estranged parents. Andra Day stars as his wife who encourages him to reunite with his family.

The official synopsis reads: “Tarrell (Holland) is an admired American painter who lives with his wife, singer Aisha (Andra Day), and their young son, Jermaine. Tarrell’s artwork excavates beauty from the anguish of his youth, keeping past wounds at bay. His path to success is derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, La’Ron (John Earl Jelks), a conscience-stricken man desperate to reconcile.

Tarrell’s mother, Joyce (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) a pious woman with a profound and joyful spirituality, hopes that Tarrell can open his heart to forgiveness, giving them...

Fresh off announcing its Board of Governors 2024-2025 officers on August 1, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has announced its newly elected 2024-2025 Academy Foundation Board members and officers.

Though these are two different groups, one of the names present on both boards is Donna Gigliotti from the Academy’s Executives Branch, listed now as Treasurer of the Foundation, but she’s also the Vice President/Treasurer of the AMPAS Board of Governors.

Other familiar names on the Academy Foundation Board include Howard Berger from the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch as President of the board, with Brooke Breton of the Visual Effects Branch and Kim Taylor-Coleman of the Casting Directors Branch both serving as Vice Presidents on the Academy Foundation Board.

The trio prior served as the elected officers for the Academy’s Museum Committee, Education and Outreach Committee, and History and Preservation Committee, respectively, but...

Janet Yang, Jason Reitman and Howard Berger are among the nine newly elected Academy Foundation Board members and officers for 2024-2025. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on Thursday.

Oscar-winning prosthetic makeup artist Berger (“Chronicles of Narnia”), a member of the Academy’s Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch, has been named president. Brooke Breton (“Avatar”), member of the Visual Effects Branch, and Kim Taylor-Coleman (“Da 5 Bloods”), member of the Casting Directors Branch, will serve as co-vice presidents. Marlon West, member of the Animation Branch, will step in as secretary and Oscar winner Gigliotti, member of the Executives Branch, will serve as treasurer.

Additionally, Yang — who was re-elected to her third term as president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences earlier this month and member of the Producers Branch — has been named a board member along with Reitman (Directors Branch), Stephen Rivkin (Film...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced its five newly elected 2024-2025 Academy Foundation Board members and officers. The Board comprises nine trustees who are members of the Academy Board of Governors.

The elected officials are Howard Berger, president of the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch; Brooke Breton, vice president of the Visual Effects Branch; Donna Gigliotti, treasurer of the Executives Branch; Kim Taylor-Coleman, vice president of the Casting Directors Branch and Marlon West, secretary of the Animation Branch.

Additional board members include Jason Reitman, Director’s Branch; Stephen Rivkin, Film Editors Branch; Dana Stevens, Writers Branch and Janet Yang, Producers Branch.

The Academy Foundation oversees all educational, preservation and cultural activities of the Academy, including the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library, the Academy Film Archive, the Academy Collection and the Academy’s talent development programs.

“The work of the Academy Foundation...

Continuing its recent spate of announcements cementing leadership positions across all facets of AMPAS, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Thursday revealed its newly elected 2024-2025 Academy Foundation board members and officers. Those elected include AMPAS officers president Janet Yang and vice president Donna Gigliotti. Howard Berger has been named president of the foundation.

The Academy Foundation oversees all educational, preservation and cultural activities of the Academy, including the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library, the Academy Film Archive, the Academy Collection and the Academy’s talent development programs.

The board comprises nine trustees, all of whom are members of the Academy Board of Governors.

Elected to board officer positions are:

Howard Berger (Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch), President

Brooke Breton (Visual Effects Branch), Vice President

Donna Gigliotti (Executives Branch), Treasurer

Kim Taylor-Coleman (Casting Directors Branch), Vice President

Marlon West (Animation Branch...

Exclusive: Boxing mother-and-son drama Undercard, starring comedian Wanda Sykes in her first big dramatic film role, has begun principal photography in Puerto Rico for Catalyst Studios.

Emmy Award-winning Sykes plays Cheryl “No Mercy” Stewart, a two-time former boxing champion and recovering alcoholic.

The movie follows her attempts to reconnect with 20-year-old son Keith, a talented but troubled young man, played by rising star Bentley Green (Heist 88), who has followed his mother’s footsteps into the boxing ring.

When Keith finds himself alone in his corner, because of his gambling-addicted trainer, he is forced to turn to his mother. Determined to right past wrongs, she embarks on a mission to train her son for glory in a World Championship title fight.

They are joined in the cast by William Stanford Davis (Abbott Elementary), Xavier Mills, Estella Kahiha, Berto Colon and Puerto Rican star Roselyn Sanchez.

Undercard marks the sixth production in two years for Catalyst Studios.

It is directed by Tamika Miller and co-written by Miller and Anita M. Cal.

The movie is billed as following in the tradition of Raging Bull, Million Dollar Baby and Creed, but with the story told through the eyes of the trainer.

“It is about the struggle and survival of the human spirit. Getting up when life does its best to knock you down. This powerful, moving story is a metaphor for our own challenges. And it shows Wanda like we have never seen her before,” said Catalyst Studios Chairperson Holly Anderson Levow.

“I’m thrilled to have this amazing cast bring Undercard to life, with Wanda leading the way in what I know will be a breathtaking performance,” said Miller.

Veteran producer Anne Clements along with local producers Frances Lausell and Andres Ramirez are overseeing production in Puerto Rico. Kim Coleman is Co-Producer. Sykes also serves as an executive producer.

On the wonderful and ridiculous ride of feature film pre-production, the initial cast table read can often be a white-knuckle experience, waiting to see if the script sings with the actors cast — do they have chemistry together and do the Magic 8 Ball signs point to “Yes” or “Try again later”? For us, the core team on Shooting Stars, our first table read was no different.

In 2009, I read an article in Vanity Fair titled, “LeBron James’ Band of Brothers” and I became somewhat obsessed with the story of him and his best friends growing up in Akron, Ohio. And thanks to amazing partners along the way, a ton of luck and my shitty ability to reconcile art and commerce (a.k.a. stubbornness), 13 years later, we were making the movie.

I remember sitting in the conference room in our production offices, which were halfway between Cleveland and Akron. Chris Robinson,...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has returned to its annual spring ritual and announced its 2024-25 Board of Governors today. Among new first-time governors are Patricia Cardoso (Real Women Have Curves), elected to the Directors branch, and Jennifer Fox, who has produced the past several Governors Awards ceremonies, who was elected governor of the Producers Branch. Leaving the board from those positions are current Directors Branch Governor Susanne Bier and Producers Governor Jennifer Todd.

Other first-timers named today are K.K. Barrett for Production Designers, Chris Tashima for Short Films and Andy Nelson for the Sound Branch. Returning to the board after a hiatus is Lois Burwell from Makeup and Hairstylists branch.

Here are the incumbent governors re-elected to the 2024-25 board:

Rita Wilson, Actors Branch

Kim Taylor-Coleman, Casting Directors Branch

Paul Cameron, Cinematographers Branch

Eduardo Castro, Costume Designers Branch

Jean Tsien, Documentary Branch

Pam Abdy, Executives Branch

Terilyn A. Shropshire,...

The new Academy board of 55 members for the 2024-25 season comprises 53% women, while 27% of governors belong to an underrepresented racial or ethnic group.

The Academy announced on Monday that the following governors have been elected for the first time: Patricia Cardoso, directors branch; Jennifer Fox, producers branch; K.K. Barrett, production design branch; Chris Tashima, short films branch; and Andy Nelson, sound branch.

The following have been re-elected: Rita Wilson, actors branch; Kim Taylor-Coleman, casting directors branch; Paul Cameron, cinematographers branch; Eduardo Castro, costume designers branch; Jean Tsien, documentary branch; Pam Abdy, executives branch; Terilyn A. Shropshire, film editors branch; Laura C.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the newly elected Board of Governors for the 2024-2025 year.

Elected to the board for the first time are “Real Women Have Curves” director Patricia Cardoso, Oscar-nominated production designer K.K. Barrett (“Her”), two-time Oscar-winning sound designer Andy Nelson (“Saving Private Ryan” and “Les Misérables”), and producer Jennifer Fox, who has helmed the past four Governors Awards. Oscar winner Chris Tashima (“Visas and Virtue”) was elected to the board, representing the shorts branch, following the split from animation earlier this year.

Additionally, 11 incumbents were re-elected to the board: Rita Wilson (actors), Kim Taylor-Coleman (casting directors), Paul Cameron (cinematographers), Eduardo Castro (costume designers), Jean Tsien (documentary), Pam Abdy (executives), Terilyn A. Shropshire (film editors), Laura C. Kim (marketing and public relations), Lesley Barber (music), Brooke Breton (visual effects) and Howard A. Rodman (writers). Oscar-winning makeup artist Lois Burwell (“Braveheart”) is returning to the Board after a hiatus.

The results are in after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held elections for 17 seats on its 55-person board of governors, and the newly constituted board will include five rookies, one comeback kid and 11 continuing incumbents.

The five first-time governors will be Patricia Cardoso (directors branch), a 1996 Student Academy Award winner best known for helming 2002’s Real Women Have Curves, who will succeed Susanne Bier; Jennifer Fox (producers), an Oscar nominee for Michael Clayton and five-time producer of the Academy’s Governors Awards, who will succeed Jennifer Todd; K.K. Barrett (production design), an Oscar nominee for Her, who will succeed Tom Duffield; Andy Nelson (sound), a 24-time Oscar nominee who has taken home statuettes for Saving Private Ryan and Les Misérables, who will succeed Gary C. Bourgeois; and Chris Tashima (short films), an Oscar winner for the live action short Visas and Virtue, who becomes the first governor of the short films branch.

Fresh off some big executive moves, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced its newly elected 2024-2025 Board of Governors. The governors, whose advise on what should be the Academy’s strategic vision, help preserve the organization’s financial health, and assure the fulfillment of its mission, are set to take office at the first scheduled board meeting of the new term.

Incumbent governors, reelected to the board after a three-year term, include actress Rita Wilson and Warner Bros. Pictures executive Pam Abdy. Among those elected to the board for the first time is producer Jennifer Fox, who has helmed the Academy’s Governors Awards several years running.

The Academy has 19 branches total, each represented by three governors, except for the recently established Animation Branch, represented by two governors; the recently established Short Films Branch, represented by one governor; and the Production and Technology Branch, represented by one governor.

London- and Paris-based production, finance and international sales outfit Film Constellation has unveiled a first exclusive clip from Titus Kaphar’s well-received drama “Exhibiting Forgiveness.”

Film Constellation will screen the film for buyers in Cannes on Tuesday.

The film received glowing reviews after its January premiere at Sundance in the U.S. Dramatic Competition section, and was picked up for North American distribution by Roadside Attractions, with a theatrical release scheduled for the Fall awards season.

In the film, an artist finds his path to success derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, a troubled man desperate to reconcile. Together they learn that forgetting may be harder than forgiving.

The directorial debut of visual artist Kaphar, “Exhibiting Forgiveness” stars Spirit Award winner and SAG nominee André Holland, Academy Award nominee, Golden Globes winner and Grammy Award winner Andra Day, Tony Award nominee John Earl Jelks, and Academy Award nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.

NBCUniversal’s Emmy FYC House is set to return for its third annual pop-up activation at The Aster in Los Angeles from May 16 through May 22.

Additionally, on Wednesday night, Peacock will host their official FYC event for “The Traitors,” a reality show where contestants move into a castle and compete on challenges to earn money for a prize pot. The event will take place at the Ebell in Los Angeles. The panelist list includes host/producer Alan Cumming, as well as exec producer Toni Ireland and Sam Spector, the wardrobe stylist.

At the Aster, the NBCU FYC Emmy showcase features brands including Peacock, NBC, Bravo and Universal Studio Group. The event aims to highlight creatives from their Emmy-eligible shows.

There will be opportunities for TV Academy and guild members to look at props, costumes and behind-the-scenes photos from various series.

Confirmed guests include Alison Brie, Andy Cohen, Carson Daly, Chance the Rapper,...

London- and Paris-based production, finance and sales outfit Film Constellation has boarded international sales on Titus Kaphar’s drama “Exhibiting Forgiveness.”

The film received strong reviews after its January premiere at Sundance in the U.S. Dramatic Competition section, and was picked up for North American distribution by Roadside Attractions, with plans for a wide theatrical release in the fall and awards campaign.

Film Constellation will screen the film for buyers in Cannes.

In the film, an artist finds his path to success derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, a troubled man desperate to reconcile. Together, they learn that forgetting may be harder than forgiving.

The directorial debut of visual artist Kaphar, “Exhibiting Forgiveness” stars André Holland, Andra Day, John Earl Jelks and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.

Variety’s Owen Gleiberman gave the film a positive review, describing it as “a forceful drama free of feel-good fakery” and praising Holland’s performance as “fierce,...

Roadside Attractions has acquired US rights to Sundance drama Exhibiting Forgiveness starring André Holland, Andra Day, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and plans an awards season release.

‘Exhibiting Forgiveness’: Sundance Review

Visual artist Titus Kaphar’s feature directorial debut premiered in Sundance’s US Dramatic Competition in January and explores parental relationships and the wounds of the past.

Holland plays Tarrell Rodin, a painter who suppresses the scars of his youth through his art, and lives with his wife and singer-songwriter Aisha and young son Jermaine.

However Tarrell’s path to success is derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged...

Exhibitors will get “Exhibiting Forgiveness” thanks to distribution company Roadside Attractions.

After premiering at the 2024 Sundance Festival and screening at the New Directors/New Films festival, Titus Kaphar’s directorial debut has been acquired by Roadside Attractions, IndieWire can confirm. It will open nationwide this fall for awards season.

Renowned artist Kaphar wrote the semi-autobiographical script for “Exhibiting Forgiveness” after completing a series of paintings and a short documentary — “The Jerome Project” (2016) — inspired by his relationship with his father. Kaphar’s most recent short documentary, “Shut up and Paint,” was shortlisted for an Academy Award in 2022.

“Exhibiting Forgiveness” follows Tarrell Rodin (André Holland), an admired American painter who lives with his wife, singer-songwriter Aisha (Andra Day), and young son. Rodin’s artwork excavates beauty from the anguish of his youth, keeping past wounds at bay, per the synopsis. Yet his path to success is derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father,...

A remake of the 1991 Christina Applegate cult classic Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead (watch it Here) is coming our way as a BET+ Original Film – and Iconic Events Releasing has announced that they will be giving the film a theatrical release on April 12th. We got to see a teaser trailer for the film last month, and now a full trailer has arrived online. You can check it out in the embed above. If you like what you see, head over to DontTellMomFilm.com to purchase tickets to see the movie on the big screen!

Directed by Wade Allain-Marcus (French Dirty) from a script by Emmy-nominated writer Chuck Hayward, whose credits include Ted Lasso and WandaVision, this remake has the following synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Tanya Crandell can’t wait to spend the summer living it up with her friends in Spain before heading to Howard University in the fall. But...

A remake of the 1991 Christina Applegate cult classic Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead (watch it Here) is coming our way as a BET+ Original Film – and Iconic Events Releasing has announced that they will be giving the film a theatrical release on April 12th. Along with this announcement comes the unveiling of a teaser trailer for the new Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, and you can check it out in the embed above. If you like what you see, head over to DontTellMomFilm.com to purchase tickets to see the movie on the big screen!

Directed by Wade Allain-Marcus (French Dirty) from a script by Emmy-nominated writer Chuck Hayward, whose credits include Ted Lasso and WandaVision, this remake has the following synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Tanya Crandell can’t wait to spend the summer living it up with her friends in Spain before heading to Howard University in the fall.

A remake of the ’90s classic “Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead” is coming to theaters in spring.

Simone Joy Jones, Nicole Richie and June Squibb will lead an ensemble including Jermaine Fowler (“Superior Donuts”), comic Ms. Pat, Olympian Gus Kenworthy, as well as newcomers Donielle Tremaine Hansley, Miles Fowler, Iantha Richardson and Tyriq Withers.

Like the 1991 film, “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead” follows 17-year-old girl Tanya (Jones), who plans to vacation in Europe with her friends before heading to college in the fall. But her mom (Ms. Pat) decides to go to a wellness retreat in Thailand, so Tanya is forced to stay home with her siblings. When — as the title suggests — their elderly babysitter (Squibb) unexpectedly dies, Tayna gets a job working for an ambitious woman named Rose (Ritchie). As she juggles work, family and a complicated romance, Tanya navigates adulthood at the cost of her last summer of freedom.

By Gary Salem and Michelle McCue

“This Is Oscar Night!”

On Sunday, March 10 the 96th Oscars will be held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC.

Wamg will be in the press room once again and will be bringing you all the behind the scenes coverage and the backstage interviews.

Hollywood’s biggest night is a month away and we’ve got your latest Oscar news.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has announced “Oscars Season at the Academy Museum,” running now through March 31, which invites the public to celebrate the 96th Oscars® and immerse themselves in Academy Awards® history through rich and expansive one-of-a-kind Oscar®-centered events and activities.

“Oscars Season” will see the Academy Museum campus activated for visitors to experience Oscar-winning film screenings, family workshops, in-gallery tours, Oscars Nominee Programs, exclusive store merchandise, and special pricing for the Oscars Experience...

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced today that they will begin presenting a new Oscar category, the first in over twenty years. The new award will recognize achievement in casting and will first be presented during the 2026 Oscar ceremony. Prior to this, the last new Oscar category was Best Animated Feature, which was announced in 2001, with Shrek taking home the inaugural award.

In a statement, current Academy president Janet Yang and CEO Bill Kramer said: “Casting directors play an essential role in filmmaking, and as the Academy evolves, we are proud to add casting to the disciplines that we recognize and celebrate. We congratulate our casting directors branch members on this exciting milestone and for their commitment and diligence throughout this process.“

Richard Hicks, Kim Taylor-Coleman, and Debra Zane, three governors of the Academy’s casting director branch, added, “On behalf of the members of the casting directors branch,...

The Oscars Statuette (Photo Credit: Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S.)

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors has approved the addition of a new Achievement in Casting Academy Award. The new category will take effect beginning with films released in 2025, with the first Achievement in Casting Oscar awarded during the 98th Oscars in 2026.

This is the first new category added since the addition of Best Animated Feature Film way back in 2001.

“Casting directors play an essential role in filmmaking, and as the Academy evolves, we are proud to add casting to the disciplines that we recognize and celebrate,” stated Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang. “We congratulate our Casting Directors Branch members on this exciting milestone and for their commitment and diligence throughout this process.”

Rules relating to the new category are expected to be announced in April 2025. According to the Academy,...

For the first time in more than two decades, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has added a new category to the Oscars telecast: Outstanding Achievement in Casting.

The inaugural casting award will be given at the 98th Academy Awards, airing in 2026 and honoring films released in 2025.

More from TVLineOscar Nominee America Ferrera 'Incredibly Disappointed' by Margot Robbie, Greta Gerwig's Barbie SnubsOscar Nominations: Oppenheimer Dominates, Barbie Hit With 2 SnubsThe Oscars Telecast Is (Pretty Much) Guaranteed to End Before Bedtime This Year - Here's Why

“Casting directors play an essential role in filmmaking, and as the Academy evolves,...

For the first time since 2001, the academy has announced a new category at the Oscars.

Starting with the 2026 Oscars ceremony, the academy will present an award for Best Casting. The new category and award allow the Oscars to honor casting directors, who not only make up a branch of the academy but have campaigned for inclusion at the Academy Awards since at least the 1990s.

“Casting directors play an essential role in filmmaking, and as the Academy evolves, we are proud to add casting to the disciplines that we recognize and celebrate,” said academy CEO Bill Kramer and academy president Janet Yang in a joint statement released to press on Thursday. “We congratulate our Casting Directors Branch members on this exciting milestone and for their commitment and diligence throughout this process.”

“On behalf of the members of the Casting Directors Branch, we’d like to thank the Board of Governors,...

The Academy board said on Thursday it has created an annual competitive Oscar for achievement in casting, beginning with the 98th Academy Awards for films released in 2025.

“Casting directors play an essential role in filmmaking, and as the Academy evolves, we are proud to add casting to the disciplines that we recognise and celebrate,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy president Janet Yang.

“We congratulate our casting directors branch members on this exciting milestone and for their commitment and diligence throughout this process.”

“On behalf of the members of the casting directors branch, we’d like to thank the board of governors,...

The Academy board said on Thursday it has created a new Oscar for achievement in casting starting at the 98th Academy Awards for films released in 2025.

“Casting directors play an essential role in filmmaking, and as the Academy evolves, we are proud to add casting to the disciplines that we recognise and celebrate,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy president Janet Yang.

“We congratulate our casting directors branch members on this exciting milestone and for their commitment and diligence throughout this process.”

“On behalf of the members of the casting directors branch, we’d like to thank the board of governors,...

The Oscars are set to get a little longer for a long-campaigned reason.

Ahead of the upcoming 96th Oscars, the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Thursday, February 8, that there will now be an annual competitive Academy Award for Achievement in Casting. The new Oscar category will arrive alongside the 98th Academy Awards in 2026, which will honor the films released in 2025.

The news comes over a decade after the release of the 2012 premiere of the documentary “Casting By,” which highlighted the importance of casting directors in the filmmaking process, and suggested their work should be recognized by the Academy. Shortly after, in July 2013, the Academy created its Casting Directors Branch, which currently has nearly 160 members. Casting director Lynn Stalmaster, one of the subjects of “Casting By,” was also honored at the Governors Awards in November 2016, which made him the first person to receive an Oscar for casting.

The Academy of Motion Pictures Art and Sciences has announced that it will soon begin annually presenting an Oscar recognizing achievement in casting. The award, which will first be presented in 2026, will be the first new Oscar introduced since the organization began presenting best animated feature in 2002, after announcing its creation in 2001.

The announcement comes as something of a surprise, considering the pressure that the Academy has felt, especially in recent years, to consolidate the number of categories that it awards on its ABC telecast, in order to retain as many viewers as possible. (It has not yet been confirmed that the casting Oscar will be presented on the telecast, but it is hard to imagine that it would not be.) Twenty-three awards are currently handed out on the air, although the average viewer tends to care about only four or five.

On the other hand, the Academy has increasingly...

The Casting Directors have finally got their Oscar.

After a decades long effort to establish a competitive Oscar for Casting Directors, it has finally paid off with the establishment of a new Oscar category for Achievement In Casting beginning with the 98th Annual Academy Awards for films released in 2025.

This will be the first new category added to the Oscars since Best Animated Feature Film was created in 2001, and will bring the total back to 24 overall.

“Casting directors play an essential role in filmmaking, and as the Academy evolves, we are proud to add casting to the disciplines that we recognize and celebrate,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang. “We congratulate our Casting Directors Branch members on this exciting milestone and for their commitment and diligence throughout this process.”

“On behalf of the members of the Casting Directors Branch, we’d like to thank the Board of Governors,...

Exclusive: Angela “Angie” Beyincé, the award-winning songwriter and actress who’s co-written hits for Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child, has been promoted to a series regular for the seventh and current season of Tyler Perry’s BET drama-comedy series, Sistas.

Beyincé portrays Pam, the nosy, sassy hair salon manager, and loyal friend to salon owner Karen Mott, adding comedic relief to the show. She appears in 73 episodes in her recurring role before her promotion to series regular. She was cast and also serves as a consultant producer for the show, personally chosen by Perry. As a series regular in the seventh season, Beyincé’s character Pam navigates the challenges of juggling and managing Karen’s salon while building her social media presence, exploring entrepreneurship, and embarking upon new romantic relationships.

Her role on Sistas comes after appearing in 2 seasons of the Tyler Perry soap opera If Loving You is Wrong,...

Tyler Perry, Kelly Rowland, and Trevante Rhodes – Pictures courtesy of Netflix

Netflix and Tyler Perry are partnering up on yet another project with Mea Culpa, a new thriller that Perry will produce alongside singer-actress Kelly Rowland, who is also set to star. Here’s everything you need to know about Mea Culpa coming to Netflix in late February 2023.

The project has been in development for quite some time but was transferred over to Netflix in January 2023, which is when we first learned about the project. Sadly, Netflix did not provide an official comment at the time, but the project was officially unveiled on February 23rd, 2023.

Tyler Perry is on board to direct, produce, and write. This will be Perry’s fifth major project for Netflix following A Fall From Grace, A Madea Homecoming, A Jazzman’s Blues, and Six Triple Eight. Also upcoming is another Madea movie and new comedy called Joe’s College Road Trip.

Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming – Picture: Netflix

Netflix is getting a new Madea movie, and wedding bells are ringing! Here’s an early preview of what we know about the second Netflix Original Madea movie and 13th overall.

Previously released by Lionsgate, Madea made her big move to Netflix in 2022 with the release of Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming, which made waves and was one of the most popular movies in the US that year.

Just recently, we reported that Netflix had signed up and was eying a pair of Madea sequels to Homecoming, and we’re happy to report that one is set to begin production very soon.

The first sequel is currently titled Madea’s Destination Wedding. Here’s the basic logline for the new movie:

“Madea’s young granddaughter, Tiffany, introduces her new boyfriend, Zavier, to her family and drops the shocking news to them: that...

GLAAD — the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer media advocacy organization — has been named the recipient of the Television Academy’s 2023 Governors Award. The honor will be presented during the 75th Annual Primetime Emmys telecast, set to be broadcast live on Fox (after a lengthy Hollywood strikes delay) on January 15.

According to the TV Academy, the org was recognized for its “work over nearly four decades to secure fair, accurate and diverse representation of the LGBTQ community in the media and entertainment industries and to advocate for LGBTQ equality.” Sarah Kate Ellis, who serves as president and CEO of GLAAD, will accept the award on the organization’s behalf at the ceremony.

“Television shapes our society and influences dialogue that increases understanding and acceptance, making GLAAD’s work so important to the LGBTQ community to legislative bodies and to the public,” said TV Academy chairman Frank Scherma.

The Television Academy announced on Tuesday that GLAAD (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) – the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization – will be honored as the 2023 Governors Award recipient at the strike-delayed 75th Emmy Awards ceremony on January 15, 2024. The award recognizes GLAAD’s work over nearly four decades to secure fair, accurate and diverse representation of the LGBTQ community in the media and entertainment industries and to advocate for LGBTQ equality. GLAAD’s President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, will accept the honor during the Emmy telecast on Fox.

The Governors Award is bestowed by the TV Academy’s Board of Governors and honors an individual, company or organization that has made a profound, transformational and long-lasting contribution to the art and/or science of television.

SEEPrimetime Emmys may be postponed if WGA strike stretches past early August

Founded in 1985 by Vito Russo,...

GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer media advocacy organization, will be honored with the 2023 Governors Award, the Television Academy announced today. The organization will be recognized for its work over nearly four decades to secure fair, accurate and diverse representation of the LGBTQ community in the media and entertainment industries and to advocate for LGBTQ equality. GLAAD’s President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, will accept the award during the Jan. 15 Emmy Awards telecast on Fox.

First awarded in 1978, the Governors Award honors an individual, company or organization that has made a profound, transformational and long-lasting contribution to the arts and/or science of television, according to the Television Academy. Last year’s award went to the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. Debbie Allen was honored with the award in 2021, and Tyler Perry and The Perry Foundation were recognized in 2020.

Founded in 1985 by Vito Russo,...

The producer also begins her fifth year as an Ampas governor-at-large.

Producer Janet Yang has been elected to a second term as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Ampas) by the US organisation’s board of governors.

Yang, first elected Ampas president this time last year, is also beginning her fifth year as a governor-at-large for the Academy.

A member of the Academy’s producers branch since 2002, Yang’s producing credits include The Joy Luck Club, The People vs Larry Flynt and animated feature Over the Moon.

Also elected to the Ampas board, as vice-presidents and chairs of their respective committees,...

Janet Yang has been re-elected as president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Her second-term re-election was made by the Academy’s board of governors who additionally elected a number of officer positions for 2023-2024.

Yang is an Emmy-winning producer with credits on projects including “The Joy Luck Club,” “The People vs. Larry Flynt,” “Zero Effect,” “High Crimes,” “Dark Matter,” “Shanghai Calling” and “Over the Moon.” She climbed to her success in Hollywood after working under Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy who helped show her the ropes at Amblin.

“I’ve felt like an outsider many times throughout my life,” Yang said this year at the Oscars. “It’s wonderful to have a sense of belonging, and terrible not to … If I can help open the door for other women and people of color, I’m thrilled.

Since 2002, she has been a member of the Academy’s...

Janet Yang has been elected to her second term as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, AMPAS announced Tuesday. Yang was chosen by the Academy’s 55-member Board of Governors at the first meeting of the 2023-2024 board, which was elected in June.

Yang is the fourth woman to serve as Academy president, and the first Asian-American. She is a member of the Academy’s Producers Branch, with a filmography that includes “The Joy Luck Club,” “The People vs. Larry Flynt” and the animated feature “Over the Moon.”

Yang is a one of three Governors-at-Large. Where most of the AMPAS governors are elected by specific branches, the at-large positions are nominated by the Academy president and elected by the board. She was first nominated for the board by then-president John Bailey in 2019 and nominated again by David Rubin in 2022, putting her in the second year of her second three-year term.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday that its Board of Governors has re-elected producer Janet Yang as president of the organization. Members elected new people to fill the majority of officer positions as well, with only Lynette Howell Taylor and Kim Taylor-Coleman returning to their posts.

CEO Bill Kramer, who started his role around the same time as Yang last year, said in a statement, “I am thrilled to welcome this year’s board officers. Under Janet’s esteemed leadership, these dedicated governors will guide the Academy’s ongoing efforts to elevate the work of our global membership and film community, highlight our industry’s rich history, foster meaningful dialogue, and continue to build equity and inclusion in every aspect of our organization.”

Yang will now be in her second term as president, and her fifth year as a Governor-at-Large, having made history as the first Asian-American,...

Janet Yang, the film producer who a year ago was elected the 36th president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, was re-elected to that post on Tuesday during the first meeting of the Academy’s recently reconstituted board of governors, the Academy has announced.

Yang, 67, the Queens-born daughter of Chinese immigrants, broke into showbiz by connecting key players in the Chinese and Hollywood film industries to make possible films like Empire of the Sun before becoming a producer of films including The Joy Luck Club and The People vs. Larry Flynt. She is just the fourth female (after Bette Davis, Fay Kanin and Cheryl Boone Isaacs) and second person of color (after Boone Isaacs) ever tapped for the board’s top job.

A member of the producers branch since 2002, she has served on the board since 2019 as a governor-at-large. Three seats for governors-at-large were added to the...

Janet Yang has been re-elected president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences by the organization’s Board of Governors.

The producer will be serving her second consecutive one-year term and was widely expected to take the reins once again. Presidents can serve up to four consecutive one-year terms as long as they are eligible, and Yang is only in her fifth year as a Governor-at-Large and thus conceivably could run again in 2024 and 2025. AMPAS presidents almost always are re-elected without much controversy.

Board officers also were elected, and it will be a group with a lot of new faces compared to 2022. The lineup is as follows:

Bonnie Arnold, Vice President

Howard Berger, Vice President

Brooke Breton, Vice President

Tom Dufffield, Vice President/Treasurer

DeVon Franklin, Vice President

Lynette Howell Taylor,...

Summer Of Soul producer David Dinerstein among new intake.

Bad Robot president of film Hannah Minghella, marketing executive and Summer Of Soul producer David Dinerstein, and actor Lou Diamond Phillips are among the new intake of governors announced on Thursday.

Also elected to the board for the first time are: Wendy Aylsworth, production and technology branch; Richard Gibbs, music branch; Jinko Gotoh, short films and feature animation branch; Kalina Ivanov, production design branch; Simon Kilmurry, documentary branch; Daniel Orlandi, costume designers branch; Dana Stevens, writers branch; and Mark P. Stoeckinger, sound branch.

Minghella belongs to the executives branch, Dinerstein to marketing and public relations,...

There will be a lot of new faces in the room at the next meeting of the Board Of Governors of the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences including actor Lou Diamond Phillips. Eleven first timers have been elected in the organizations annual election to select one third of the Board as eleven other members have termed off including Actors Branch Governor Whoopi Goldberg and Writers Branch Governor Larry Karaszewski. With AMPAS’ more stringent guidelines for service in place now two longtime Board members, Charles Bernstein (Music) and Jon Bloom (shorts and feature animation) are permanently off the Board, while others termed out can run again in two years.

Incumbent governors reelected to the Board:

Rob Bredow, Visual Effects Branch

Ava DuVernay, Directors Branch

Linda Flowers, Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch

Lynette Howell Taylor, Producers Branch

Stephen Rivkin, Film Editors Branch

Debra Zane, Casting Directors Branch

Elected to the Board...

As a result of elections that took place this year from June 5-9, when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 55-person board of governors convenes in July, more than one-fifth of its seats will be occupied by people who were not a part of it in June.

This is the result not of a repudiation of incumbents — in fact, no incumbent who could have sought reelection opted not to, and no incumbent who sought reelection lost — but rather of stricter term limits that the board imposed upon itself in recent years.

For the 2023-24 term, the board — which is composed of three governors representing each of the Academy’s 18 branches except for the newly created production/technology branch, which has just one, plus three “governors at large” — will be joined by 11 rookie governors: Wendy Aylsworth (production/technology branch), David I. Dinerstein (marketing/public relations), Richard Gibbs (music), Jinko Gotoh...

Actor Lou Diamond Phillips, documentary filmmaker Simon Kilmurry and writer Dana Stevens are among the 11 film professionals who have been elected to the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Academy announced on Thursday.

Those new governors are part of a wholesale makeover of the AMPAS board prompted by new term limits imposed last year. In 10 of the 11 branches where first-time governors were elected, the incumbent governors were unable to run again because of those new limits, which restrict governors to two consecutive three-year terms. Last year, when those limits were instituted, 10 governors were termed off the board and 12 first-time governors were elected.

This year’s election means that 23 of the 55 members of the board will be in their first or second term.

In the Academy’s 18 branches, all six incumbent governors who were eligible to run again were re-elected. Those are Debra Zane...

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has announced its newly elected Board of Governors. The governors, who set the Academy’s strategic vision and watch out for the organization’s financial health, will take office at the first scheduled board meeting of the new term. Wednesday the board voted to expand theatrical release requirements in order to qualify for Best Picture eligibility.

Directors branch member Ava DuVernay is back on the 55-member 2023-2024 Academy Board of Governors. So is producer Lynette Howell Taylor. The incumbents stay, while the ones who have served their three-year term move on, to be replaced by someone else. And, after three terms, like those served by Charles Bernstein and Jon Bloom, they are permanently termed off.

The Academy’s 18 branches are each represented by three governors, except for the recently established Production and Technology Branch, which is represented by a single governor. As a result of this election,...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the newly elected Board of Governors for the 2023-2024 year.

Elected to the board for the first time are acclaimed actor Lou Diamond Phillips, screenwriter Dana Stevens, executive Hannah Minghella, costume designer Daniel Orlandi and more. Among the newly elected is technology executive Wendy Aylsworth, who will represent the brand new Production and Technology Branch. Aylsworth, who also serves on the Board of Governors for the Television Academy, spent more than two decades at Warner Bros. and became the first woman president of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.

In addition, six incumbents were re-elected to the board — Rob Bredow (visual effects), Ava DuVernay (directors), Linda Flowers (makeup artists and hairstylists), Lynette Howell Taylor (producers), Stephen Rivkin (film editors) and Debra Zane (casting directors). Also, cinematographer Ellen Kuras returns after a hiatus.

They will join returning governors Pam Abdy,...

Exclusive: While still in post with Compelling Pictures on the Warhol-Basquiat film The Collaboration, based on the play he directed in both its debut London run and its Broadway transfer, Kwame Kwei-Armah has closed a deal to direct Mission Hill, a Boston-set crime thriller that will mark a reteam with the producer-financier.

Based on an original screenplay by Michael McGrale (The Following), developed by Compelling, Mission Hill is based on a real-life homicide case that brought Boston to its knees in 1989. It follows an up-and-coming police officer and a seasoned detective racing against time to bring a suspect in before the city implodes over racial tensions.

Compelling Pictures will finance and produce the film which is aiming for a late 2023 start date, pending the ongoing WGA strike and potential other labor actions from SAG-AFTRA and the DGA.

Producing alongside Compelling is Peter Craig — who’s coming off his first Oscar nomination for his contributions to the screenplay of Top Gun: Maverick — as well as Jay Giannone. Exec producers are Kwei-Armah and McGrale, Steven Garcia for Compelling, Max Goldfarb for Redefine Entertainment, Marina Cappi for Marina Studios Productions, Ori Allon and Sal Monaco for White Lodge Productions, Tanner Beard, Lexie Beard, Janice Beard, Dennis Casali and Joshua Kushner. Two-time Emmy nominee Kim Coleman (Lovecraft Country) is handling the film’s casting.

“I’m overjoyed to be working with Compelling Pictures again on this amazing project,” said Kwei-Armah. “I couldn’t put it down when I began to read it. Overjoyed.”

“Mission Hill is a passion project for Jeff, Peter, and myself. Having just had the great pleasure of working with Kwame, we couldn’t be more excited to help bring his vision to life,” stated Compelling Pictures principal Denis O’Sullivan. “It all began with Mike’s riveting script, which has been waiting patiently since 2021 for a great director to take the reins. We’re honored to tell this story of a city that has been seen in movies we love, but rarely from this perspective, and we can’t wait for a global audience to experience this epic, propulsive ride.”

Added producer Craig, “Mike Mcgrale’s script is among the best I’ve ever read – and I’m so happy to see it now in the hands of a talented director like Kwame.”

Kwei-Armah teamed with actors Paul Bettany and Jeremy Pope on both the stage and screen versions of the Anthony McCarten-penned The Collaboration, which revolves around the relationship between the iconic artists Warhol and Basquiat, starting in the summer of 1984. Otherwise known for stage productions like The Visitor and One Love: The Bob Marley Musical, he also notably co-wrote and exec produced the veteran thriller Breaking starring John Boyega, which world premiered at Sundance and was released in theaters by Bleecker Street.

Headed by O’Sullivan (Bohemian Rhapsody) and and Jeff Kalligheri (I Wanna Dance with Somebody), Compelling Pictures most recently released the McCarten-scripted Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance with Somebody, starring BAFTA winner Naomi Ackie, which Sony Pictures took worldwide this past Christmas. Helmed by Kasi Lemmons, the film currently streaming on Netflix landed the #1 spot on the U.S. film chart in its first two weeks on the platform.

Kwei-Armah is repped by CAA, United Agents in the UK, Redefine and attorney Linda Lichter; McGrale by APA, Heroes and Villains, and attorney Will Jacobson; Craig by CAA and Grandview; and Compelling by Evan Krauss of Eisner Llp.

The Television Academy has abruptly canceled its planned May 31 Television Academy Honors.

“After discussions with the WGA and out of deference to those impacted by the ongoing labor dispute, the Television Academy is canceling next week’s planned Television Academy Honors reception,” a TV Academy spokesperson said in a statement. “We appreciate everyone’s understanding. The Academy would like to congratulate this year’s Honors recipients and thank them on behalf of the entire industry for their groundbreaking and inspiring work.”

The 16th annual program would have recognized six television programs and their producers who have harnessed storytelling to fuel social change. The honorees would have included two documentary specials, one documentary/nonfiction series, two scripted series and one reality series from 2022.

A number of Hollywood events have been canceled or postponed since the start of the writers strike, including Nicole Kidman’s AFI Life Achievement Award

Each year, the...