Entertainment <\/p>\n
\n\tA-Story Entertainment<\/a>, a non-profit production company, is officially launching with an impact film fund designed to support independent and emerging creators, Variety <\/em>has exclusively learned.<\/p>\n \n\tThe company is collaborating with the Trilith Institute<\/a> to feed emerging creators into A-Story Entertainment\u2019s production pipeline. Trilith Institute CEO Jeffrey Stepakoff<\/a>, known for producing \u201cDawson\u2019s Creek,\u201d is leading the group to focus on developing intellectual property and providing resources and access to diverse projects and talent.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cIndependent creators have long sought alternatives to the studio system, and that\u2019s exactly what we\u2019re building,\u201d Stepakoff said. \u201cWe are offering opportunities that simply don\u2019t exist elsewhere, reshaping the future of our industry by ensuring productions aren\u2019t just shot in this region\u2014they\u2019re born and developed here. This impact fund guarantees that storytellers have the resources to create and thrive in a dynamic local ecosystem, while also generating significant and enduring economic activity throughout the region.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tErik Hyman, partner and co-chair of the Paul Hastings Global Entertainment and Media practice, represents A-Story Entertainment.<\/p>\n \n\tCharles Burnett\u2019s long lost comedy \u201cThe Annihilation of Fish\u201d is officially opening in New York on Feb. 14 and Los Angeles on Feb. 20.<\/p>\n \n\tThe screenings will showcase the new 4k version of the film, which was restored by the UCLA Film & Television Archive and The Film Foundation in collaboration with Milestone Films. In a statement, Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese said that: \u201cCharles Burnett is one of the finest filmmakers in this country. His pictures speak in a cinematic voice that is uniquely and completely his own. For much too long,\u00a0\u2018The Annihilation of Fish\u2019\u00a0has been in limbo. It took many years and endless persistence to rescue this beautiful, delicate picture\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThe Annihilation of Fish\u201d follows a former housewife (Lynn Redgrave) who moves into a Los Angeles boarding house with a landlady (Margot Kidder) and meets a widower recently released from a mental institution (James Earl Jones). The film was previously unavailable to watch in any form and will be seen by audiences for the first time with this limited release.<\/p>\n \n\tAbramorama has acquired the U.S. theatrical distribution rights to \u201cMeanwhile,\u201d a documentary poem in six verses that explores topics of race and creative resistance.<\/p>\n \n\tThe documentary is in collaboration with novelist and poet Jacqueline Woodson, composer Meshell Ndegeocello, producer Erika Dilday, editor M. Trevino and director Catherine Gund.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWe are thrilled to be collaborating with the passionate storyteller Catherine Gund, and the team at Aubin Pictures,\u201d Abramorama CEO Karol Martesko-Fenster said. \u201cCatherine has crafted a museum worthy film that captures a unique pulse of our times in tandem with the complexity of life, made even more powerful when experienced on the big screen.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cMeanwhile\u201d is set to kick off its New York theatrical run starting Friday, March 14 at DCTV\u2019s Firehouse Cinema before expanding across the United States.<\/p>\n \n\tRichard Zelniker\u2019s indie drama \u201cThe Vortex\u201d has set a limited theatrical release for February and March. Starring Billy Gardell, Jaina Lee Ortiz, Jamie McShane and Christopher Titus, the film follows a Paiute cleaning lady who unknowingly sets off a chain of strange events when she enters a slots room at the MGM Grand Casino.<\/p>\n \n\tAccording to the film\u2019s synopsis, Gardell plays Pete, the casino\u2019s in-house comic who \u201cPlays shrink to a host of colorful misfits while dodging mobsters and \u2018collectors.\u2019 Struggling with a gambling addiction, he faces a life-altering decision that may determine his fate.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe film also stars Emily Alabi, Nick Gomez and Jeremy Luke. \u201cThe Vortex\u201d is produced by Zelniker and co-written by Zelniker and Steven Barr, with Adriana Rotaru, Justin Richards, and Lucid Pictures\u2019 Callie Nguyen Zelniker producing. Brodrick Haygood executive produces for Moon Howler, while Olliecorp Productions\u2019 Steven Barr and Synkronized (SKD)\u2019s Alex Cohen will distribute worldwide. <\/p>\n \n\t\u201cDancing with the Stars\u201d duo Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson will host the 12th Annual Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706). The MUAHS Awards will take place on Feb. 15 at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. <\/p>\n \n\tJulie Socash, President, MUAHS, IATSE Local 706 said, \u201cVal and Jenna are \u2018Dancing with the Stars\u2019 superstars and DWTS mirror ball trophy winners. Their impeccable performances not only showcase an immense talent and creativity, but also an undeniable charisma to match. Both are always an absolute pleasure to work with when collaborating with the hair and make-up teams to create weekly characters for the show, sometimes with multiple live changes in one episode. We are honored and thrilled to have Val and Jenna bring their magic and talent to our MUAHS show as this year\u2019s hosts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t\tPopular on Variety\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Entertainment
\n\t\tTuesday, Feb. 4\t<\/h2>\n\n\t\tCharles Burnett\u2019s Long Lost Comedy \u2018The Annihilation of Fish\u2019 Opening in N.Y. and L.A.<\/strong>\t<\/h4>\n
\n\t\tAbramorama Picks Up U.S. Distribution Rights to Documentary \u2018Meanwhile\u2019<\/strong>\t<\/h4>\n
\n\t\tRichard Zelinker\u2019s \u2018The Vortex\u2019 Sets Limited Theatrical Release Dates<\/strong>\t<\/h4>\n
\n\t\tVal Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson to Host 12th Annual MUAHS Awards<\/strong>\t<\/h4>\n