CINEMA POTPOURRI: February (This is a new monthly segment that will cover a variety of topics -- casting news, movie happenings, and whatever happens to be on my movie-crazed mind)  SUNDANCE(what it was…what it became…what it now wants to be)Of course, the independent film movement existed long before the Sundance Film Festival opened its doors in 1985 and officially adopted its title in 1991.  But never before had mainstream Hollywood responded so resoundingly to its possibilities. Redfor...

The Fifth Annual Anchorage International Film Festival(AIFF) is one of the last opportunities for independent filmmakers to add to their list of awards and accolades in order to attract distributors for their films. The festival begins on Friday, Dec. 2, and runs through Sunday, Dec. 11. "As each year comes to a close, filmmakers seek out just one more festival to try and obtain another set of laurels for their films," said Tony Sheppard, founder of AIFF. "Distributors do consider a film's succe...

ANNETTE BENING AND LEONARDO DiCAPRIO TO RECEIVE ACTING AWARDS FROM THE HOLLYWOOD FESTOscar(r) nominated actress Annette Bening will get the "Hollywood Actress ofthe Year Award" and Academy Award-nominated actor Leonardo DiCapriowill receive the "Hollywood Actor of the Year Award."The Hollywood Film Festival's Board of Advisors is proud to announce that this year's festival will honor Oscar(r)-nominated actress ANNETTE BENING with its "Hollywood Actress of the Year Award" and Academy Award nomina...

HOLLYWOOD FEST ANNOUNCES CRAFT KUDOS WINNERSRecipients to be feted at Hollywood Awards GalaThe Hollywood Film Festival announces honorees who will be recognized for their outstanding achievements at the festival's Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony, which will take place on October 18, 2004, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.Academy-nominated editor Sally Menke will receive the "Hollywood Editor of the Year Award," Academy Award-winning visual effects artist John Dykstra will receive the ...