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Salma Hayek Pinault has joined José Tamez and Siobhan Flynn, her partners in Ventanarosa Productions, as an executive producer on Tótem, writer-director Lila Avilés’ follow-up to her international breakthrough The Chambermaid, which has been shortlisted as Mexico’s entry for the Best International Feature Oscar.

Poised for release by Sideshow and Janus Films, the companies behind Eo and Drive My Car, the film is set to open in New York theaters on January 26th. It will unspool in Los Angeles on February 2nd and expand nationwide in the weeks to follow.

Named one of the Top 5 International Films of the Year by the National Board of Review, Tótem is told largely from the perspective of 7-year-old Sol (Naíma Sentíes), as her aunt (Montserrat Marañón) and extended relatives prepare for the birthday party of the girl’s father (Mateo Garcia). As the hours wear on, building to an event both anticipated and dreaded,...

On Monday night, November 27, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, the Gotham Awards presented the winners at their 33rd annual event. “All of Us Strangers” went in with a leading four bids, followed by “Past Lives,” “The Zone of Interest” and the TV limited series “Beef” with three apiece. But who prevailed? Scroll down for the full list, updated throughout the night.

The nominations were decided by panels of film and television critics, journalists, festival programmers and film curators. The winners were then selected by juries of writers, directors, actors, producers, editors and others directly involved in filmmaking. That makes these awards unique and often results in surprising winners like “The Rider” for Best Feature in 2018 over the higher-profile “The Favourite,” or Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”) for Best Lead Performance in 2022 over eventual Oscar winners Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”) and Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”). So a...

The Gotham Film & Media Institute announced today the nominations for the 33rd Annual Gotham Awards! This list includes 20 feature films, 11 series, and 30 performances in 10 award categories. Each nomination represents what the group deems a high point in 2023 across aspects of the entertainment spectrum. The nominations were announced live from Cipriani Wall Street by Jeffrey Sharp, award-winning film producer and the Executive Director of The Gotham, and Kia Brooks, Deputy Director of The Gotham.

“We are proud to announce this year’s Gotham Award nominees and look forward to celebrating these amazing storytellers in a few weeks. The Gotham Awards in many ways reflects the industry and community we serve. Seen by this year’s nominees, storytelling knows no boundaries as our industry continues to find new audiences across the globe,” Sharp said about the upcoming celebration.

While there are several outstanding performances nominated across the board, a few highlights...

A short wretch and slight taste of bile comes upon realizing we are firmly in “awards season,” that time of disgrace and degradation recently portended by the first round of Look Upon My Suffering Narratives––Bradley Cooper took two hours to apply a fake nose, but is that braver than Michael Fassbender never blinking?––and established, now, by the announcement of Gotham Award nominees. Credit where it’s due, though, that this voting body gives a mite more attention to films of substance and note: leading the pack are Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest and Andrew Haigh’s All of Us Strangers, while a director nod went to Raven Jackson for All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt, Cristian Mungiu earned a screenplay nomination, and Franz Rogowski might win a best actor prize.

One can find the nominations below, while many are now streaming:

Best Feature

Passages –– Ira Sachs,...

All Of Us Strangers by Andrew Haigh led the Gotham Awards Nominations today, with some love for Celine Song’s Past Lives and Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest, and with a Best Performance nod to Ryan Gosling for Barbie after the indie-centric awards removed a longstanding budget cap on eligibility, an opening for big-budget studio and streamer fare to submit for consideration.

All Of Us Strangers was nominated for Best International Feature, Best Screenplay and Outstanding Lead and Supporting Performances for Andrew Scott and Claire Foy. Past Lives was nominated for Best Feature, Breakthrough Director, and Outstanding Lead Performance by Greta Lee.

The disappearance of the decade-old budget cap, which had been set most recently at $35 million, is the biggest change this year. The Gotham Film & Media Institute, announcing the shift last summer, said it was meant “to broaden our reach in terms of recognition and accessibility to the wider community.

On October 24 the Gotham Awards announced their official nominations for their 33rd annual event. Led by “All of Us Strangers” with four bids and followed by “Past Lives” and “The Zone of Interest” with three, the nominees were presented by Jeffrey Sharp, Executive Director of the Gotham Film and Media Institute, and Kia Brooks, Deputy Director at the Gotham Film and Media Institute, via Variety’s YouTube channel. The awards ceremony for the winners will take place on Monday, November 27, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. Scroll down for the full list.

Sharp said in a statement, “We are proud to announce this year’s Gotham Award nominees and look forward to celebrating these amazing storytellers in a few weeks. The Gotham Awards in many ways reflects the industry and community we serve. Seen by this year’s nominees, storytelling knows no boundaries as our industry continues to...

The 2023 Gotham Awards have officially unveiled its nominations. This year’s nominees were announced on Tuesday, October 24 via live broadcast on Variety’s YouTube channel. Nominees were listed off by Jeffrey Sharp, the executive director of the Gotham Film and Media Institute, as well as Kia Brooks, the deputy director at the Gotham Film and Media Institute. Twenty feature films, 11 TV series, and 30 performances in 10 award categories were recognized, with features like “Barbie,” All of Us Strangers,” “Passages,” and “Past Lives” earning the bulk of the nods.

“We are proud to announce this year’s Gotham Award nominees and look forward to celebrating these amazing storytellers in a few weeks,” Sharp said during the broadcast. “The Gotham Awards in many ways reflects the industry and community we serve. Seen by this year’s nominees, storytelling knows no boundaries as our industry continues to find new audiences across the globe.”

The...

Past Lives, A Thousand and One and All of Us Strangers are among the top film nominees for the 2023 Gotham Awards.

Past Lives and A Thousand and One are both up for best feature, breakthrough director (Celine Song for Past Lives and A.V. Rockwell for A Thousand and One) and best lead performance (Greta Lee for Past Lives and Teyana Taylor for A Thousand and One).

Other best feature nominees are Ira Sachs’ Passages, which is also up for best lead performance (Franz Rogowski); Tina Satter’s Reality; and Kelly Reichardt’s Showing Up.

All of Us Strangers, meanwhile, scored a leading four nominations, the most of any film. The Searchlight title is up for best international feature, best screenplay (writer-director Andrew Haigh), best lead performance (Andrew Scott) and best supporting performance (Claire Foy).

In the TV categories, Beef leads with three nominations, with Anne Rice’s Interview with The Vampire,...

The Berlin prize-winner from Lila Aviles has secured a number of international sales.

Mexico has selected Berlin festival prize-winner Totem, written and directed by Lila Avilés, as its submission for this year’s international feature Oscar.

The family drama premiered in competition at this year’s Berlinale and won the Ecumenical Jury Prize. It also screened at the recent Telluride festival and at this week’s San Sebastian festival and is part of the line-up for next week’s BFI London festival.

Since Berlin, Paris-based Alpha Violet has sold the film to distributors including New Wave Films, for the UK and Ireland,...

Mexico has selected the Berlin competition title Tótem, the latest film from Lila Avilés, as its entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2024 Oscars.

The family drama is Avilés’s second film after the award-winning feature debut The Chambermaid, which debuted in Toronto in 2018 and then traveled the international festival circuit before being selected as Mexico’s Oscar submission.

Tótem stars newcomer Naíma Sentíes as a 7-year-old girl navigating the strange atmosphere of a special surprise party being held for her dying artist father, from whom she herself feels temporarily estranged.

Further cast members include stars Montserrat Marañon (Bardo), Marisol Gasê, Saori Gurza, Mateo García Elizondo, Teresita Sánchez, Francisco Maldonado, Iazua Larios and Alberto Amador. The picture was produced by Tatiana Graullera, Avilés, and Louise Riousse.

After playing Berlin, Tótem made its North American bow at New Directors/New Films and played Telluride earlier this month,...

Uruguay-based Agustina Chiarino, one of the drivers of the new Latin American cinema industry and at the forefront of pan-regional co-production, is kicking-off early projects at her recently launched production-distribution company Bocacha Films.

Chiarino attended last week’s Malaga Film Festival edition to present Pablo Solarz’s official section contender comedy “Desperté con un sueño” (“I Woke Up With a Dream”), which she produced at Mutante Cine, the Montevideo-based outfit Chiarino and editor-producer Fernando Epstein co-founded in 2011.

After “I Woke Up With a Dream,” two feature debuts are finishing production stage under the Mutante Cine brand: Vanina Spataro’s “Naufragios,” teaming with Kino Films in Argentina, and Sebastián Peña Escobar’s documentary “The Last” in partnership with Paraguay’s La Babosa Cine.

They will be “the last three movies Mutante Cine will be launching before disbanding,” Chiarino said.

Having produced more than 15 Latin American films, Chiarino is now embarking on a solo project,...

Exclusive: Paris-based Alpha Violet has posted fresh sales on Mexican director Lila Avilés’s family drama Tótem, which world premiered in competition at the Berlinale to acclaim in February.

In new deals, the film has been acquired for Japan (Bitters End), China (Beijing Hugoeast Media), Germany (Piffl Medien), Greece (Cinobo), Poland (New Horizon Associations), Italy (Officine Ubu) and Romania (August Film).

Previously announced deals include to North America (Sideshow and Janus Films), UK (New Wave), Spain (Adso Films), Taiwan (Hooray Films), Benelux (Vedette Film) and Ex-Yugo (McF Megacom Film).

The film was warmly received at Berlin and went on to win the Ecumenical Jury Prize.

It is produced by Tatiana Graullera, Avilés and Louise Riousse.

The movie is the second film from Avilés after award-winning feature debut The Chambermaid, which debuted in Toronto in 2018 and then travelled the international festival circuit before being selected as Mexico’s Oscar submission.

Cast led by newcomer Naíma Sentíes in first role.

Sideshow and Janus Films have acquired North American rights to Lila Avilés’ Berlin Competition selection Tótem.

‘Totem’: Berlin Review

The Ecumenical Jury Prize winner follows a family in crisis as a young girl from a large Mexican family prepares for her father’s surprise birthday party.

The cast is led by newcomer Naíma Sentíes in her first role alongside Montserrat Marañon, Marisol Gasê, Saori Gurza, Mateo García Elizondo, Teresita Sánchez, Francisco Maldonado, Iazua Larios and Alberto Amador.

Tatiana Graullera, Avilés and Louise Riousse produced the Limerencia Films, Laterna, Paloma Productions and Alpha Violet production,...

Sideshow & Janus Films have snapped up North American rights for Mexican director Lila Avilés’s family drama Tótem following its world premiere in competition at the Berlinale last week.

The movie is the second film from Avilés after award-winning feature debut The Chambermaid, which debuted in Toronto in 2018 and then travelled the international festival circuit before being selected as Mexico’s Oscar submission.

Tótem stars newcomer Naíma Sentíes as a seven-year-old girl navigating the strange atmosphere of a special surprise party being held for her dying artist father, from whom she herself feels temporarily estranged.

Further cast members include stars Montserrat Marañon (Bardo), Marisol Gasê, Saori Gurza, Mateo García Elizondo, Teresita Sánchez, Francisco Maldonado, Iazua Larios and Alberto Amador.

The picture is produced by Tatiana Graullera, Avilés and Louise Riousse.

“We were fans of Lila Avilés’ The Chambermaid, but we were not prepared for the overwhelming...

Sideshow and Janus Films have acquired North American rights to the Berlin-premiering family drama “Tótem,” written and directed by “The Chambermaid” helmer Lila Avilés.

Winner of the festival’s Ecumenical Jury Prize, the film follows seven-year-old Sol, who spends the day at her grandfather’s home, helping her aunts Nuri and Alejandra with the preparations for a surprise party they’re throwing for her father, Tonatiuh, who is terminally ill. However, as night descends, a strange and chaotic atmosphere takes over, shattering the bonds that hold the family together, and Sol will come to understand that her world will change dramatically.

Sideshow and Janus Films are planning a theatrical release later this year.

“Intimate, emotionally rich Berlin competition entry ‘Tótem’ immerses audiences in a boisterous family gathering,” wrote Variety’s Peter DeBruge about the film.

“Tótem” is produced by Tatiana Graullera, Avilés and Louise Riousse. The film introduces young actor...

Tótem, the 2023 Berlinale competition title that amassed solid reviews and eventually won the festival’s Ecumenical Jury Prize, has found a home in North America.

Frequent art house distribution bedfellows Sideshow and Janus Films have acquired the feature, from Mexican filmmaker Lila Avilés and the follow-up to The Chambermaid. A theatrical release later this year is planned.

The family drama — produced by Tatiana Graullera, Lila Avilés and Louise Riousse — introduces newcomer Naíma Sentíes in her first role and also stars Montserrat Marañon (Bardo), Marisol Gasê, Saori Gurza, Mateo García Elizondo, Teresita Sánchez (The Chambermaid, Dos Estaciones), Francisco Maldonado, Iazua Larios and Alberto Amador. Tótem follows 7-year-old Sol, who spends the day at her grandfather’s home, helping her aunts Nuri and Alejandra with the preparations for a surprise party they are throwing for her father, Tonatiuh. As daylight fades, a strange and chaotic atmosphere takes over, shattering the bonds that hold the family together.

Totem

A project that would have shot sometime around the summer of ’21, auteur Lila Avilés reteamed with actress Teresa Sanchez and Lazua Larios (from Michel Franco’s Sundown) for her sophomore feature. Supported via Rotterdam Film Fest’s Hubert Bals Funds, Limerencia’s Avilés, Tatiana Graullera and Louise Riousse produced Totem – a tale about a girl who navigates an adult’s world and her relationship with her father. We’re huge fans of this Mexican filmmaker whose social realist essay The Chambermaid – which preemed at TIFF, Donostia-San Sebastián and BFI London preemed.

Gist: 7 year-old Sol spends a day in the family house where a strange and chaotic atmosphere reigns.…...

“The Marriage,” the feature-length fiction debut from Brazilian documentary filmmaker Maíra Bühler (“Let It Burn”), and a pair of intimate and revelatory queer films “The Way You See Me,” and buzz-title “Diamond,” backed by Argentina’s Maravilla Cine (“That Weekend”), are among the selections set for Ventana Sur’s 2022 Punto Genero Pitching Sessions.

They’re joined by mystical, lore-centered projects like Julia Rotundi’s “A Woman Gazed At The Night Sky,” sci-fi-laced “I’ve Held This Sadness For So Long That My Chest Will Explode,” by Mexico’s Nicolasa Ruiz Mendoza and dystopian thriller, “Kill To Marilyn,” by Chilean director Alejandra Gonzalez Painemal.

In keeping with tradition, this year’s films push boundaries, set to pull in viewers from varied demographics, shining a light on Latin American cinema, spanning the whole of the continent and centering communities whose narratives discuss wholly human issues with passion and textured perspectives.

“We care about equity,...

Acquisitions include Iffr title Our Time (Nuestro Tiempo).

UK art house distributor New Wave Films has confirmed the acquisition of three new Mexican titles including Internatonal Film Festival Rotterdam (Iffr) regular Carlos Reygadas’ Our Time (Nuestro Tiempo), which has been screening this week in Rotterdam’s Deep Focus section.

The most recent pick-up is The Chambermaid by debut director Lila Avilés, which has been touring major festivals since the autumn, winning several prizes on the way.

Sold by Alpha Violet, this is a drama set behind the scenes in a luxury hotel in Mexico City. Avilés and Tatiana Graullera (Limerencia) produced the project,...

New York-based Kino Lorber has taken North American rights to “The Chambermaid,” the feature debut of Mexico’s Lila Aviles that took the Best Film and the Warrior of the Press awards at Morelia Intl. Film Festival last week.

“The Chambermaid” will get an U.S. premiere on Nov. 10 at the AFI Fest in Los Angeles. A national theatrical release is scheduled for summer 2019.

Kino Lorber senior vice president Wendy Lidell said, “Using an incredible economy of means, Avilés makes palpable the inner life of an irrepressible soul imbued with dignity by actress Gabriela Cartol, who gives an unforgettable performance. ‘The Chambermaid’ gives new meaning, with a feminist twist, to our idea of the working class hero.”

Kino Lorber’s recent titles include Talal Derki’s “Of Fathers and Sons,” the Grand Jury Prize for World Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival; Jean Luc Godard’s “The Image Book”; and...

Madrid — In a strong year for Mexican cinema – think Sebastián Hofmann’s “Time Share,” Alfonso Ruizpalacios’ “Museo” – the world premiere at Venice of the latest films by two of Mexico’s biggest names – Alfonso Cuarón and Carlos Reygadas – shouldn’t distract from another narrative: the ever increasing number of movies by Mexican women directors hitting major festivals, scoring deals and winning post-production plaudits.

“The Good Girls,” from Alejandra Marquez Abella (“Semana Santa”), selected for Toronto Platform, has just been picked up by Luxbox.

Now Lila Avilés’ “The Chambermaid” (“La camarista”), one of the most-awaited of Mexico’s feature film debuts, made the Toronto Discovery cut, announced Tuesday, after already being selected for the New Directors’ competition at later-September’s San Sebastian Festival in Spain. Variety has had exclusive access to its first trailer and poster, dropped by sales agent Alpha Violet, which suggests the film’s tenor and charm.

A winningly grounded fiction film,...

As the star-studded Cannes 70th anniversary gala dinner wrapped up on May 23, a mariachi band came out to play “Cielito lindo,” “México lindo y querido,” and the Spanish version of “Happy Birthday” turning this year’s Cannes Film Festival into a celebration of #MexiCannes.2017 Cannes.. Photograph by Justin Bishop. Salma Hayek wears Yves Saint Laurent and a Boucheron necklace. Francois-Henri Pinault wears Gucci.Read more in Remezcla here. In a few red-tinted videos, Salma Hayek, Guillermo del Toro, Emmanuel Lubezki, Alfonso Cuarón, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, and BFFs Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal can be seen gathering around Table 46 to sing along with the mariachis. They also attracted other celebrities like Isabelle Huppert and quickly became the center of attention. As they loudly sang, a larger group surrounded them and recorded them on their phones. And with GdT giving the performance of a lifetime, it’s hard to blame onlookers.

Mexican showcase to take place on May 21.

Four projects will participate in Los Cabos Goes To Cannes, the second partnership between the Marché du Film and the Los Cabos International Film Festival.

The showcase of Mexican films takes place on May 21 at the Palais in Room K and exposes the projects and their filmmakers to producers, sales agents, film funds and festival programmers, among others.

Sex Panchitos Punk is a documentary about prisoners eager to start a new life directed by Gustavo Gamou and produced by Chantal Elise Guedy and Tatiana Graullera.

The Second Coming (El Segundo Advenimiento) is a documentary by Miguel Calderón and produced by Graullera. It centres on three falconers who rely on their birds to survive the harsh reality of life.

My Brother (Mi Hermano) from Cinematrópodos, Pimienta Films, and Gavilan Cine follows two orphaned boys from Russia adopted by an unmarried woman.

Alana Simões directs and Nicolás Celis serves as producer alongside...