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More people than ever are finding their way to The Chi via streaming.

The Showtime drama’s recent Season 7 opener drew two million cross-platform viewers, making it the most-streamed season premiere in the series’ history — up +2% versus last season.

More from TVLineAndor Spies a New High on Nielsen Streaming Top 10, Daredevil: Born Again Has Still Yet to ChartThe Chi Renewed for Season 8Ratings: American Music Awards on CBS Delivers Best Audience Since 2019

TVLine readers gave the episode an average grade of “B+”; read Kim Roots’ recap.

“With the seventh season of The Chi, [series creator] Lena Waithe raised the bar creatively and it shattered viewership records,...

It's time to head back to the South Side of Chicago now that The Chi season 7 is here! The drama series has been a hit since it first debuted in March 2018, and the series is now going seven seasons strong. The first episode of the season is here, though each week it has both a streaming and linear airing on two different days. So when can you watch new episodes?

How to watch The Chi season 7

The Chi season 7 premiered Friday, May 16, 2025 on Paramount+, as well as Sunday, May 18 on Showtime. Only the first episode made its debut, which means we can expect a weekly release with one installment. So you'll want to tune in on Fridays if you choose to watch the show online, or you have the option to tune in on Sundays at 9 p.m. Et. The seventh season is a total of 12 episodes. Check out the...

“The Chi” Season 6 is heading back to screens with Season 7 of the Chicago-based drama.

Lena Waithe’s hit coming-of-age story, which is centered on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who end up linked together by a coincidence and are “bonded by the need for connection and redemption,” officially makes its return on Friday, giving fans even more action as longtime characters take on new responsibilites in Season 7.

The series was created and executive produced by Waithe under her Hillman Grad banner, and the show is executive produced by co-showrunners Justin Hillian and Jewel Coronel, and rapper, actor and producer Common.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch.

When does “The Chi” Season 7 premiere?

“The Chi” Season 7 premieres on Paramount+ with Showtime on Friday, May 16 at 9 p.m. Est/Pst.

Are new episodes streaming?

Yes, new episodes will first premiere on Paramount+ with Showtime starting Friday,...

Showtime today revealed the official trailer and key art for season seven of The Chi. Season seven will premiere Friday, May 16, on demand and on streaming for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with Showtime plan, before making its on-air debut on Sunday, May 18, at 9 p.m. Et/Pt.

The Chi is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption. Produced entirely in its namesake city, The Chi is produced by 20th Television.

Season six was record-breaking for The Chi, with the drama series delivering its most-watched season yet on streaming, surging nearly 25% over the previous season.

This season, with Alicia at the helm, the pivotal women of The Chi rise to reclaim their power. Yet, as loyalties are tested and new rivalries are stoked, it becomes clear that there’s only one crown,...

The Chi has revealed more noteworthy castings ahead of its Season 7 premiere.

Phylicia Rashad (This Is Us, Empire), Wendy Raquel Robinson (The Game) and Karrueche Tran (Claws, The Bay) all have joined the Showtime drama in guest-starring roles.

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The Chi is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who...

Today, Paramount+ with Showtime announced that The Chi season seven will premiere on Friday, May 16, on-demand and on streaming for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with Showtime plan.

The seventh season will make its on-air debut on Sunday, May 18, at 9 p.m. Et/Pt.

In The Chi season seven, with Alicia at the helm, the pivotal women of The Chi rise to reclaim their power. Yet, as loyalties are tested and new rivalries are stoked, it becomes clear that there’s only one crown, and it will come at a heavy cost.

Season six was record-breaking for The Chi, with the drama series delivering its most-watched season yet on streaming, surging nearly 25% over season five.

Series regular Lynn Whitfield recently took home an NAACP Image Award win for her role in the show, with the series also nominated for a GLAAD Media Award.

Created and executive produced by Emmy winner...

The Chi has a comeback date.

The Paramount+ with Showtime drama from Lena Waithe will return for its seventh season on May 16. The series that follows a group of residents on the south side of Chicago hits the streamer before making its on-air debut May 18 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt.

The new season follows Alicia at the helm with the women of The Chi rising to reclaim their power. As loyalties are tested and new rivalries are stoked, it becomes clear that there’s only one crown and it will come at a heavy cost.

Season six was apparently one for the books for The Chi, as it delivered its most-watched season yet on streaming, reports Paramount+.

Created and executive produced by Waithe under her Hillman Grad banner, the series is executive produced by co-showrunners Justin Hillian and Jewel Coronel, and by Common (Selma).

The cast includes Jacob Latimore,...

Ameenah Ayub Allen, producer of Rocks and co-producer of Ali & Ava, and Bring Them Down producer Jacob Swan Hyam are among the recipients of the latest round of awards from the BFI Doc Society’s Research and Development (Rad) fund.

Twelve non-fiction feature projects in early development have been supported over the last year through the Rad fund, with awards totalling £61,000.

Screen Star of Tomorrow 2018 Allen is the producer of Flesh And Flamingos, an experimental documentary exploring queer photography in the north of England, and focusing on the story of Stuart Linden Rhodes – a West Yorkshire teacher by day, and...

Prime Video’s Young Sherlock series is bolstering its ensemble with a Hollywood heavyweight.

Colin Firth will play Sir Bucephalus Hodge in the upcoming series from veteran director Guy Ritchie, our sister site Deadline reports. Additional character details have not yet been revealed.

More from TVLineHalle Berry Exits Cast of Ryan Murphy Legal Drama All's FairTVLine Items: Jodie Turner-Smith Joins Fassbender Series, NCIS: Origins Adds Two and MoreSelect Prime Video Channels Are on Sale for 99¢/Month - Watch Starz, Hallmark Movies Now, MGM+, PBS Masterpiece and Others for Less

Adapted from Andy Lane’s Young Sherlock Holmes books and written...

Exclusive: Power alum Rotimi is set for a heavily recurring role in the upcoming seventh season of The Chi.

Rotimi plays Charles, Pastor Ezekiel’s (Daniel J. Watts) former assistant who returns to the church for a second chance. The character was introduced in the Season 6 finale and the storyline will continue with Rotimi returning for a multi-episode arc in Season 7.

Created and executive produced by Lena Waithe under her Hillman Grad banner and executive produced by Common (Selma), The Chi centers on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption. The Paramount+ with Showtime series is produced by 20th Television.

Season 6 cast included Jacob Latimore, Alex Hibbert, Yolonda Ross, Shamon Brown Jr., Michael V. Epps, Birgundi Baker, Luke James and Curtiss Cook.

Along with Waithe and Common, the series...

Joyner Lucas and his team walk into Manhattan’s Sei Less a bit perturbed. After the Worcester, Massachusetts-born artist takes a seat in one of the upscale restaurant’s back rooms, he and his manager, Dhruv Joshi, reveal that they just found out that a friend was using Lucas’ fame to get over on others behind his back. “Am I looking at it wrong, or that’s fucked up?” Lucas asks the room after explaining the situation. We resoundingly agree that what he told us was indeed shady business. Joshi...

Comedy movies on Amazon Prime cater to all tastes, making it a go-to streaming service for a good laugh. Comedy is a challenging genre to master, but the best comedies on Prime Video showcase the genre's potential. Prime Video competes with major streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus, offering exclusive content and classic movies.

The best comedies on Amazon Prime Video provide endless entertainment for anyone looking for a good laugh. Prime Video's huge content library has something for everyone, and the best comedy movies available on Amazon Prime cater to almost every taste. A major player in the streaming wars with Netflix, HBO, and Hulu, Prime Video has established itself as one of the must-have streaming services that can compete with the likes of Netflix and Disney Plus. Subscribers have access to a mixture of exclusive content, popular new releases, and classic movies.

Given the subjectivity of what makes a person laugh,...

[Warning: The below contains Major spoilers for the January 9 episode of Jeopardy!] Today’s players in Jeopardy! Second Chance included Pam Warren, a high school science teacher from Petersburg, Illinois; April Marquet, a digital production artist from Oakland, California; and Rotimi Kukoyi, a health policy & management student at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill from Hoover, Alabama going head-to-head. However, the underdog of the match came out on top and won their first game. Pam had a huge $1,000 start while her competition was still at $0, and then she successfully multiplied that number by answering the first Daily Double of the round. After answering incorrectly about a jumper being a type of shot (judges were looking for a 3-pointer), Rotimi tied with April for $2,000 just before the commercial break, and Pam was still in the lead. During the interview portion of the show, host Ken Jennings revealed Rotimi as part of a previous teen tournament player unable to come back ...

Ending the year in signs is the hilarious, adventurous, sharp-tongued era of Sagittarius.

There’s truly nothing like them. They are quirky, mysterious and full of life. While they naturally grab the attention in the room, they feel most comfortable when they’re in their lonesome.

Sagittarius is the jack-of-trades sign; the sign that takes up space in every all industries — whether they be an actor, comedian or a bus driver — their versatility allows them to do it all. And that flexibility helps fuel their “I’ll try anything once” mindset. To them, what is life if you’re not living it to your fullest? The only thing you have to beware of is their slick mouth. Between Sagittarius, Virgo and Aries it’s hard to tell which sign is more brutally honest. Truly, to know Sagittarius is to love them. And if you don’t love…it doesn’t...

House Party is a 2023 comedy movie directed by Calmatic starring Tosin Cole, Jacob Latimore and Karen Obilom.

House Party is a remake of the movie directed by Reginald Hudlin in 1990. This time around, the screenplay is written by Stephen Glover (emblematic creator and star of Atlanta) and Jamal Olori.

This is a remake that looks exactly like a remake and which does not want to fail the original, is so faithful to it that it lacks a justification for being made in the first place.

About the Movie House Party (2023)

House Party is likeable, just about, pleasant in an average way and well done, with inteligent rhythm and lines. Is it better than its predecesor? This is a good opportunity for those who do not know the first version, to watch this humdrum story that (relatively) changed the way in which movies were made in the Nineties and which now,...

House Party Review — House Party (2023) Film Review, a movie directed by Calmatic, written by Stephen Glover and Jamal Olon and starring Jacob Latimore, Tosin Cole, LeBron James, Andrew Santino, Allen Maldonado, Karen Obilom, Tamera Kissen, Melvin Gregg, Rotimi, Bill Bellamy, Shakira Ja’nai Paye, Nakia Burrise, D.C. Young Fly, Olivia Sky, Bottara Angele, [...]

Continue reading: Film Review: House Party (2023): A Couple of Average Guys Throw a Party at LeBron James’ Home in an Occasionally Funny but Uninspired Remake...

Why? It’s a question I ask myself when I watch reboots and remakes of older films. Whether I like them or not, I always ask why. Why was this rebooted? Why was it remade? And then I look for any details about the film that help it stand on its own. I found no answers to those questions while watching Calmatic’s House Party reboot.

As one of my favorite films growing up, I think about the things I really liked about the 1990 version of House Party. Not only was it a lot of fun, but it was intelligent and had some subtle but effective social commentary. The 2023 version, written by Jamal Olori and Stephen Glover, is just a slapstick comedy, with boneheaded characters and a narrative so incomprehensible I often forgot what I was watching.

The film takes place in Los Angeles and follows childhood friends Kevin (Jacob Latimore...

Image Source: Ito-Miguel Madriz

One of the most common struggles music artists face once they sign to a label is being able to call the shots. If you observe the careers of some of today's most successful artists, like Bad Bunny or Tokischa, their best work is usually released when they're finally given the creative freedom to express themselves exactly how they want. This is a challenge Snow Tha Product (born Claudia Alexandra Madriz Meza) knows all too well. Since parting ways with her label in 2018 and returning to the music scene as an independent artist, the Latin Grammy-nominated Mexican rapper from California has been creating some of her proudest and most vulnerable work. That includes her latest album, "To Anywhere," which was released on Oct. 21, 2022; a feature on the soundtrack for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"; and her latest video for her single "Bájala," with Santa Fe Klan, which dropped on Friday,...

The Power series was a big hit for Starz and the spin-offs have also performed very well for the cable channel. Now, it's been revealed that one of the announced spin-offs has been cancelled.

A crime drama, the Power series debuted in 2014 and ran for six seasons and a total of 63 episodes. Created and produced by Courtney A. Kemp in collaboration with Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, the show's stars include Omari Hardwick, Lela Loren, Naturi Naughton, Joseph Sikora, Shane Johnson, and Rotimi Akinosho. It  tells the story of James St. Patrick (Hardwick). An intelligent and ruthless drug dealer, he uses the alias of "Ghost" and wants to leave his life of crime behind and pursue legitimate business dealings as a nightclub owner.

In 2019, Starz ordered the Power Book II: Ghost spin-off series. Then,...

Lisa Vidal’s character on “Being Mary Jane,” has had to sacrifice a lot when it came to her family because of her demanding career. Kara Lynch (Lisa Vidal) was an executive producer on a talk show in Atlanta before moving to New York and away from her family to become a producer on the highest rated morning show in the country, “Good Day USA.” She, like many women, was the breadwinner of her household. Seeing Lynch struggle with a healthy work life balance, begged the age old question of can women have it all? Also Read: 'Power'...

Monday evening’s “VH1 Hip Hop Honors” ceremony had everyone in their feelings reminiscing about the 1990’s. The 9th annual event was a nod to all the “90’s game changers” in hip hop, television and film and featured some of music’s biggest icons like Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey and Lil’ Kim. All of Twitter was there for the 90’s nostalgia, with most claiming that it was hands down the best era for music and not even today’s genre could hold a light to it. Also Read: 'Power' Star Rotimi Akinosho Has to Be 'Sexy' if He...

Practically everyone wants to see Dre (Rotimi Akinosho) from “Power” killed off, but Akinosho has already started taking precautions to make sure his character isn’t snuffed any time soon. The 28-year-old actor uploaded a video to his social media account showing him indulging in a face mask, sipping on a green smoothie and speaking in a Nigerian accent about how he plans on keeping Dre alive. “I also had a conversation with Mr. 50 cent and he said the people want Dre to die,” Akinosho said. “Is it because he’s sexy? Why do they want him to die?” Also...

(Spoiler alert: Please do not read on if you haven’t watched Sunday’s episode of “Power”) The only “Ghost” on “Power” that we know and acknowledge is James “Ghost” St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick), but the series’ creator, Courtney Kemp, says there’s actually two more “Ghosts.” “We’ve always thought that the show has three Ghosts,” Kemp told TheWrap. Say what, now? Well, first there’s the obvious Ghost who is also known as James St. Patrick. Then Dre (Rotimi Akinosho) is the second version of Ghost and Tariq St. Patrick (Michael Rainey Jr.) is the third version of Ghost.

The Performer | David Tennant

The Show | Broadchurch

The Episode | “Episode 7” (Aug. 9, 2017)

The Performance | Remind us never to get on Alec Hardy’s bad side.

In Season 3’s penultimate hour, Tennant gave us our best sense yet of how the accumulated atrocities of the Axehampton rape case have weighed on the Di, resulting in an intolerance for dawdling depositions and lying louses. Take his second interview of Ed, whom he curtly counsels to “lay off the smart-ass replies,” or his disgusted disbelief when Ian cops to spying on his victimized wife. There was also Hardy and Miller’s confrontation of Cath...

2017-08-07T08:38:35-07:00'Power' Recap: Secrets and Lies

[Warning: Spoilers ahead.]

We’re more than halfway through the season and every scene is filled with drama! Tariq (Michael Rainey Jr.) is alive and safe. Tommy (Joseph Sikora) and Ghost (Omari Hardwick) reunite and get caught up. Tommy now knows that Tariq was kidnapped by Jukebox, who was killed by Kanan (50 Cent), who isn’t dead. Ghost learns that it was Kanan who sent the ransom note to Tasha (Naturi Naughton) on the day that Ghost was arrested.

Tariq lies and says that Dre (Rotimi) didn’t know that Kanan and Tariq were together. This is Reason #55149729075 why Tariq must die. Especially since we know Dre set up Julio and is trying to get Ghost out the game. Tariq later tells Dre that he lied to protect him so Dre would tell him the truth. Dre tells Tariq...

“Power” star J.R. Ramirez didn’t exit the series quietly, he really put up a fight when filming his last scene — like really put up a fight. Sunday’s episode of “Power” was Ramirez’s last as Julio. Tommy Egan’s (Joseph Sikora) right hand man was set up by Dre (Rotimi Akinosho) who met with the Toros Locos, Julio’s former gang, and told them that he was up for grabs. Three members of the gang ambushed Julio in a warehouse trying to kill him, but he didn’t go down without taking at least two of the people with him.

Previous | Image 1 of 4 | NextJ.R. Ramirez is Julio in ‘Power.’

Chicago – On Sunday (June 25th, 2017), the fourth season began for the popular Starz Network crime drama “Power,” which was created by Courtney A. Kemp and produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. The Sunday night broadcast was right on the heels of a special appearance of the cast at the Chicago premiere showcase on June 13th, which was co-presented by Starz and Xfinity. Cast members J.R. Ramirez, Rotimi Akinosho and Chicago’s own Joseph Siroka were at the event.

HollywoodChicago.com photographer Joe Arce was also there, and captured these Exclusive Portraits of the threesome. Click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through the slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos © Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

POWER1: J.R. Ramirez is Julio in ‘Power.’ POWER2: Rotimi Akinosho is Dre in ‘Power.’ POWER...

Rotimi sits down with VH1 to discuss his growth on "Power" and his relationship with 50 Cent and T.I.

Check out this new poster for the fourth season of the Power TV show. Starz has announced Power, season four, will premiere on Sunday, June 25, 2017 at 9:00pm on the Starz premium channel, but for those fans who watch via the Starz app or On Demand, the season four debut episode will be available even earlier -- beginning at 12:01am.Power stars Omari Hardwick, Lela Loren, Naturi Naughton, Joseph Sikora, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Lucy Walters, Adam Huss, Andy Bean, Luis Antonio Ramos, Greg Serano, Shane Johnson, J.R. Ramirez, Rotimi Akinosho, David Fumero, Michael Rainey, Jr., Jerry Ferrara, and Callan Mulvey. Fans don't have to worry that Power will be cancelled anytime too soon, as the Starz series was renewed through season five, back in July of 2016.Read More…...

Exclusive: Power co-star Rotimi Akinosho is the latest to join Bruce Willis in the Brett Donowho-directed actioner Acts Of Violence from Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films. The pic, currently filming in Ohio, is exec produced by Brandon Hogan, Wayne Marc Godfrey and Robert Jones. Rotimi is set to play Frank, a pimp who works for human trafficker Maxwell Livingston (Mike Epps). The two lure desperate young women into sex slavery. Willis plays a detective looking to bring down…...

Larenz Tate will recur in the fourth season of the Power TV show on Starz. Fans will remember him as Shawn in Game of Silence, which NBC cancelled last year, after one season. He also played Malcolm Kaan in House of Lies, which was cancelled after five seasons on Showtime.A Starz crime drama, Power follows James “Ghost” St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick). In addition to owning the Truth nightclub in New York, Ghost also is one of the largest drug distributors in the city. Lela Loren, Naturi Naughton, Joseph Sikora, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Lucy Walters, Adam Huss, Andy Bean, Luis Antonio Ramos, Shane Johnson, J.R. Ramirez, Rotimi Akinoshko, David Fumero, Michael Rainey Jr., Jerry Ferrara, and Callan Mulvey also star.Read More…...

In the three years since the Sundance Film Festival premiere of Imperial Dreams, life has greatly changed for John Boyega. He’s shot two Star Wars films, he’s in the middle of shooting a Pacific Rim sequel, and worked with James Ponsoldt and Kathryn Bigelow on new features. After being in distribution limbo, Malik Vitthal’s drama will now get a Netflix release next week and they’ve released a new trailer.

The drama is based on a young troubled writer who has to struggle in the imperial courts projects while single handedly raising his son. Considering we missed it back at Sundance, where it won an Audience Award in its Next section, we’re looking forward to checking it out next week.

Also starring Rotimi Akinosho, Glenn Plummer, Keke Palmer, De’aundre Bonds, and Justin & Ethan Coach, check out the trailer below.

Filmed on location in the Imperial Courts projects outside Los Angeles,...

Last summer, the second season of the Power TV show saw a big jump in the ratings. Now, the cable channel has moved the series to Sunday nights where there's both a lot more viewers and more competition. How will Power do for Starz in season three? Will it be cancelled or renewed for a fourth season? Stay tuned.On Power, the brilliant and debonair owner of New York's Truth nightclub also happens to be one of the largest drug distributors in the city. While the club is a front to wash money, James St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick) decides he wants to finally leave the drug world and go legitimate but that’s easier said than done. The rest of the cast includes Lela Loren, Naturi Naughton, Joseph Sikora, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Lucy Walters, Andy Bean, David Fumero, Shane Johnson, La La Anthony, Rotimi Akinosho, J.R. Ramirez, and Luis Antonio Ramos.

Imperial Dreams Trailer. Malik Vitthal‘s Imperial Dreams (2014) movie trailer stars John Boyega, Rotimi and Glenn Plummer. Imperial Dreams‘ plot synopsis: “A 21-year-old reformed gangster’s devotion to his family and his future is put to the test when he is released from prison and returns to his old stomping grounds in Watts, Los Angeles.” According to LiveForFilms, “John Boyega has been […]...

While you’ll have to wait seven extra months to see John Boyega back in the Star Wars universe as Rian Johnson‘s Episode VIII has been delayed to December 15th, 2017, you’ll definitely see him on screen before than. One of our most-anticipated films of the year, The Circle, is expected to arrive this fall, and he also has a hold-over from 2014’s Sundance Film Festival that’s now looking for distribution in a post-Episode VII world.

Imperial Dreams is “based on a young troubled writer who has to struggle in the imperial courts projects while single handedly raising his son,” Boyega said on Instagram. “This is an important story, I’m glad it’s being told and I’m really excited for you guys to see this.” Directed by Malik Vitthal, the first trailer has now landed today and it looks like a strong drama, with distribution hopefully to follow.

Fans of the Power TV show don't have to worry about this Starz drama being cancelled anytime soon. It's already been renewed for a third season. Will the ratings continue to grow or will they fall? Will the execs regret the decision to give the series an early renewal? Stay tuned.

On Power, the brilliant and debonair owner of New York's Truth nightclub also happens to be one of the largest drug distributors in the city. While the club is a front to wash money, he decides he wants to finally leave the drug world and go legitimate but that’s easier said than done. The rest of the cast includes Lela Loren, Naturi Naughton, Joseph Sikora, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Lucy Walters, Rotimi Akinosho, Adam Huss, J.R. Ramirez, Luis Antonio Ramos, David Fumero, Andy Bean, Shane Johnson, and Sinqua Walls.

Read More…...

Some quickie TV news you can use... - First, Gladys Knight has joined the cast of the upcoming new Fox series "Empire," playing herself in what will likely be a recurring role. This is the hip-hop industry drama series from Lee Daniels, which stars Terrence Howard as industry icon Lucious Lyon, as the head of a family-run music empire, which is about to go public. - Second, Rotimi Akinosho has booked a series regular role on the Starz drama series "Power," from Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, which stars Omari Hardwick as wealthy New York City nightclub owner James “Ghost” St. Patrick, who is living a double life as a kingpin. Akinosho has signed up to play a...

Sundance Institute today announced the films and music acts that will headline the Sundance Next Fest summer festival August 7-10 in Los Angeles. Next Fest, headquartered at the Theatre at Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles, celebrates the intersection of film and music and the renegade spirit of independent artists. Tickets ($15-25) go on sale to Sundance Institute members today and all others tomorrow at sundance.org/next

In addition to a 10th Anniversary screening of "Napoleon Dynamite" with Cinespia at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery as the festival’s kickoff event on August 7, Next Fest will present the Los Angeles premieres of six films that first screened at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, and offer unfettered creativity and fresh perspectives. The program features a zombie love story, an Iranian-set vampire movie, a modern tale of buried treasure, a thriller about a mysterious soldier, and films that explore the perils of artistic ambition amongst gang life in Watts and the literary world of New York respectively.

Each film screens once at the Theatre at Ace Hotel August 8-10 and will be paired with either a special music act that shares a complementary artistic sensibility or conversations that bring together filmmakers with those who inspired them. The Sundance Film Festival programming staff selected the films and music acts for Next Fest.

The festival is an extension of the popular Next <=> section at the Sundance Film Festival, which showcases stylistically adventurous and bold films, and builds on the Institute’s Next Weekend event, hosted in 2013.

John Cooper , Director of the Sundance Film Festival, said, “Next Fest is a continuation of our efforts to connect film-loving audiences with the next generation of independent filmmakers. The unique convergence of film and music enhances the experience of each and offers fresh insight into the talent and vision of these outstanding independent artists.”

Trevor Groth , Director of Programming for the Sundance Film Festival, said, “In the heart of one of the most creative cities in the world, Next Fest will launch a new wave of film and music talent into the artistic atmosphere. The Theatre at Ace Hotel, with its roots in cinematic trailblazing, will serve as the ideal hub for this cultural adventure.”

Sundance Institute members have access to a host of benefits related to Next Fest, including the ability to purchase tickets today, before they go on sale to the general public tomorrow. At the August 7 screening with Cinespia at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, members will enjoy a reserved seating section and receive an exclusive tote bag, screenprinted live at the event by Hit + Run. Members are also invited to a special party during Next Fest and are eligible to win a prize package including a three-night stay at the Ace Hotel plus airfare. For more information visit Here

The film schedule is as follows:

Thursday, August 7,

Cinespia at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery

"Napoleon Dynamite" (Director: Jared Hess, Screenwriters: Jared Hess, Jerusha Hess) — From the rural town of Preston, Idaho, comes Napoleon Dynamite – a new kind of hero. He spends his days drawing magical beasts, working on his computer hacking skills to impress the chicks, and begrudgingly feeding his Grandma's pet llama. When his friend Pedro runs for class president, Napoleon helps him triumph over adversity. The film premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. Cast: Jon Heder, Aaron Ruell, Jon Gries, Sandy Martin, Efren Ramirez. Special guests to be announced. 10th Anniversary Screening

Friday, August 8, 8:00 p.m.

Theatre at Ace Hotel

"Life After Beth" / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Jeff Baena) — Zach is devastated by the unexpected death of his girlfriend, Beth. When she mysteriously returns, he gets a second chance at love. Soon his whole world turns upside down... Cast: Aubrey Plaza, Dane DeHaan, John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon, Cheryl Hines, Paul Reiser. Los Angeles Premiere

Father John Misty — Father John Misty is the charismatic singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and performer who released his debut album, Fear Fun in 2012 to universal praise. The acclaim, emboldened by his incredible live show, led to multiple sold-out tours and high profile TV performances on Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Conan and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He is currently at work on his follow up, due in early 2015. Next Fest will feature a solo acoustic performance.

Saturday, August 9, 1:00 p.m.

Theatre at Ace Hotel

"Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter" / U.S.A. (Director: David Zellner Screenwriters: David Zellner, Nathan Zellner) — A lonely Japanese woman becomes convinced that a satchel of money buried in a fictional film is, in fact, real. Abandoning her structured life in Tokyo for the frozen Minnesota wilderness, she embarks on an impulsive quest to search for her lost mythical fortune. Cast: Rinko Kikuchi. Winner of a U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Musical Score at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. Los Angeles Premiere

Followed by a conversation between director David Zellner and co-screenwriter Nathan Zellner with a special guest to be announced.

Saturday, August 9, 4:45 p.m.

Theatre at Ace Hotel

"Listen Up Philip"/ U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Alex Ross Perry) — A story about changing seasons and changing attitudes, a newly accomplished writer faces mistakes and miseries affecting those around him, including his girlfriend, her sister, his idol, his idol's daughter, and all the ex-girlfriends and enemies that lie in wait on the open streets of New York. Cast: Jason Schwartzman, Elisabeth Moss, Jonathan Pryce, Krysten Ritter, Josephine de La Baume. Los Angeles Premiere

Followed by a conversation between director Alex Ross Perry and Jason Schwartzman with a special guest to be announced.

Saturday, August 9, 8:30 p.m.

Theatre at Ace Hotel

"Imperial Dreams" / U.S.A. (Director: Malik Vitthal, Screenwriters: Malik Vitthal, Ismet Prcic ) — A 21-year-old, reformed gangster's devotion to his family and his future are put to the test when he is released from prison and returns to his old stomping grounds in Watts, Los Angeles. Cast: John Boyega, Rotimi Akinosho, Glenn Plummer, Keke Palmer, De'aundre Bonds. Winner of the Audience Award: Best of Next <=> at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. Los Angeles Premiere

Tinashe : Tinashe does everything on her own terms. The stunning 21-year-old singer, songwriter and performer arrives with a distinct and dynamic vision of R&B punctuated by hip-hop attitude, pop flavor, rock swagger and electronica spark. It all comes to life vividly on Aquarius, her forthcoming full-length debut on RCA Records.

Sunday, August 10, 4:00 p.m.

Theatre at Ace Hotel

"The Guest" / U.S.A. (Director: Adam Wingard, Screenwriter: Simon Barrett) — A soldier on leave arrives at the home of a fallen comrade. Friendly and helpful, they welcome him in, but when people start mysteriously dying in town, mayhem ensues as their teenage daughter starts wondering if he’s responsible. Cast: Dan Stevens, Maika Monroe, Leland Orser, Lance Reddick, Chase Williamson, Brendan Meyer. Los Angeles Premiere

Followed by a conversation between director Adam Wingard and a special guest to be announced.

Sunday, August 10, 7:45 p.m.

Theatre at Ace Hotel

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Ana Lily Amirpour) — In the Iranian ghost town of Bad City, a place that reeks of death and loneliness, depraved denizens are unaware they are being stalked by a lonesome vampire. Cast: Sheila Vand, Arash Marandi, Dominic Rains, Marshall Manesh, Mozhan Marnó, Milad Eghbali. Los Angeles Premiere

Warpaint — Warpaint was formed in 2004 and comprises Emily Kokal, Theresa Wayman, Jenny Lee Lindberg and Stella Mozgawa. They recently released their self-titled second album to rave reviews. Rolling Stone described it as, “The perfect backdrop for your next midnight séance or moonlit dance party” and W Magazine said, “If the La band’s first album was the sonic equivalent of falling into happy slumber, then its newly released follow-up is a beautifully lucid dream...

Sundance Institute this evening announced the Jury, Audience and other special awards of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival at the feature film Awards Ceremony, hosted by Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, in Park City, Utah. Video of the ceremony in its entirety is available at Sundance.org/Live.

The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented by Tracy Chapman to:

Rich Hill / U.S.A. (Directors: Andrew Droz Palermo, Tracy Droz Tragos) - In a rural, American town, kids face heartbreaking choices, find comfort in the most fragile of family bonds, and dream of a future of possibility.

The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented by Leonard Maltin to: Whiplash / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Damien Chazelle) - Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity. Cast: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons.

The World Cinema...

Photo by Dvrosa

It was another great year at the Sundance Film Festival! There were so many fantastic movies shown, and I still have a couple more to go. I'm really happy to say that Miles Teller and J.K. Simmon's film Whiplash took home the top two prizes, winning the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award. This was my number one favorite film from the festival, and it seems like everyone else at the festival loved it too, so it doesn't surprise me that it won.

Here's the full list of winners:

Sundance Institute this evening announced the Jury, Audience and other special awards of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival at the feature film Awards Ceremony, hosted by Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, in Park City, Utah. Video of the ceremony in its entirety is available at www.sundance.org/live.

The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was...

Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash was Day 1 feel good buzz title of the fest that ultimately served as a measuring stick for the other competing 15 titles in the section and as predicted below had a good chance at doing what last year’s Fruitvale did: when both major awards of its category. Now that I’ve completed a 15 hour nap, I can watch the ceremony below – and you can spoil the suspense by simply going over the other award winners in the multiple categories below. Next week we’ll be publishing our interviews with several of the filmmakers mentioned below. Congrats to the winners and non-winners.

Park City, Ut — Sundance Institute this evening announced the Jury, Audience and other special awards of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival at the feature film Awards Ceremony, hosted by Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, in Park City, Utah. Video of the ceremony in its entirety is available at www.

The 2014 Sundance Film Festival is right around the corner, and the Sundance Institute has released the full line-up for the competition films that will be premiering!

This year there were 12,218 total submissions, and 117 films were accepted from 37 countries around the world. It looks like there's a lot of good selection of films this year.

The Sundance Film Festival 2014 runs from January 16th to the 26th, and the GeekTyrant team will be there to cover as many movies as we possibly can.

U.S. Dramatic Competition

The 16 films in this section are world premieres and, unless otherwise noted, are from the U.S.

“Camp X-Ray” — Directed and written by Peter Sattler. A young female guard at Guantanamo Bay forms an unlikely friendship with one of the detainees. Cast: Kristen Stewart, Payman Maadi, Lane Garrison, J.J. Soria, John Carroll Lynch.

“Cold in July” — Directed by Jim Mickle, written by Nick Damici.

Sundance Film Festival continues to be one of the most popular, and arguably one of the most important, events on the industry calendar, launching as it does some of the most prominent independent films at the start of each year.

This year will be no different, with Sundance announcing last night the initial line-up of films screening in competition, led by Song One, starring Anne Hathaway; Camp X-Ray, starring Kristen Stewart; Infinitely Polar Bear, with Mark Ruffalo and Zoe Saldana; Joe Swanberg’s Happy Christmas, starring Anna Kendrick, Melanie Lynskey, Mark Webber, Lena Dunham, and Swanberg himself; The Skeleton Twins, with Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Luke Wilson, and Ty Burrell; Life After Beth, with Aubrey Plaza, Dane DeHaan, and John C. Reilly; Listen Up Philip, with Jason Schwartzman and Elisabeth Moss; Whiplash, starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons; and many, many more.

U.S. Dramatic Competition

Presenting the world premieres of 16 narrative feature films,...

God’S Pocket

Sundance Institute announced today the films selected for the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions and the out-of-competition section of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, January 16-26 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.

Robert Redford, President & Founder of Sundance Institute said, “That the Festival has evolved and grown as it has over the past 30 years is a credit to both our audiences and our artists, who continue to find ways to take risks and open our minds to the power of story. This year’s films and artists promise to do the same.”

For the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, 118 feature-length films were selected, representing 37 countries and 54 first-time filmmakers, including 34 in competition. These films were selected from 12,218 submissions (72 more than for 2013), including 4,057 feature-length films and 8,161 short films. Of the feature film submissions, 2,014 were from the U.S. and 2,043 were international. 97 feature films at...

Rolling out it’s fifth edition and growing beyond just Park City (Los Angeles hosted a summer event this year) the Next section has grown in size, has found plenty of distrib buyer interest and has a strong voice of its own. Becoming a home for low budget indie we like: smaller budgets sometimes bring out impressive creative outputs, in 2011 we had Sound of My Voice, Restless City and Bellflower. 2012 saw Compliance, I’m Not a Hipster and Sleepwalk With Me, while last year we were impressed by the likes of It Felt Like Love and Blue Caprice. This year we have eleven, instead of ten selections – the plus one bump might have to do with Madeleine Olnek’s The Foxy Merkins – she got to show off her film this summer in the Next Weekend L.A event (we mentioned above). In the coming-of-agers working with a different vibe and...

The U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competition lineups for the 2014 Sundance Film Festival were announced today and just below I have featured pictures from the 16 films that will be competing in the U.S. Dramatic competition and they feature a lot of names you're going to recognize. The titles begin with Camp X-Ray, which stars Kristen Stewart as a guard in Guantanamo Bay, where she forms an unlikely friendship with one of the detainees. Jim Mickle made an impact earlier this year with We Are What We Are and he returns with Michael C. Hall with Cold in July. Fishing Without Nets looks to tell a story similar to that of Captain Phillips, only this time from the Somali side of things; God's Pocket is "Mad Men" star John Slattery's writing and directorial debut and he's lined up an impressive cast including Philip Seymour Hoffman, Richard Jenkins,...

Festival top brass announced on December 4 the Us and world cinema dramatic and documentary competition entries as well as 11 Next titles for the upcoming 30th edition of the Sundance Film Festival, set to run in Utah from January 16-26 2014.

The Us dramatic strand features work from independent auteurs Joe Swanberg and Jim Mickle as well as the feature directorial debut of Mad Men star John Slattery, Anne Hathaway in Song One and Rinko Kikuchi in Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter.

Several titles including Kat Cander’s Hellion and Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash – a Day One Film – previously screened at Sundance as shorts.

Festival director John Cooper and director of programming Trevor Groth said genre was no longer the sole preserve of the Park City At Midnight section and had percolated into the broader selection. Cooper added that genre was often a good device for film-makers to hook audiences on a story.

World cinema...

Boss alum & singer/songwriter/actor Rotimi, has joined the cast of Fox Searchlight's Kasi Lemmons' musical Black Nativity, which is already shooting in New York City. The story centers on a young black teen from Baltimore, who is sent to Harlem by his mother to spend the Christmas holiday with his estranged grandparents. The boy then learns the real meaning of faith and family when his grandfather delivers a Christmas Eve sermon and "a stylized, dream-sequence retelling of the classic Nativity story." Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson star in a work that's based on Langston Hughes' Broadway gospel musical. Tyrese Gibson, Luke...

Partisan

Oscar Isaac has been cast in Ariel Kleiman's upcoming feature "Partisan" at Warp Films Australia.

The story is described as a confronting tale about a vengeful man raising his children to attack the world that wronged him. [Source: Inside Film]

A Friggin’ Christmas Miracle

Tim Heidecker and Wendi McLendon-Covey have joined the cast of "A Friggin’ Christmas Miracle" alongside Joel McHale and Robin Williams.

McHale plays a family man who takes his wife and son to visit his family for Christmas. he soon realizes he left all his son’s gifts at home, so he, his father (Williams) and brother set off to salvage the holiday. [Source: The Wrap]

Killer's List

Vinnie Jones is attached to play a retired hit man and widower whose young son is kidnapped in Phil Avalon's thriller "The Killer’s List". The filming takes place on Australia's Gold Coast in July.

The story follows the guy (Jones) as...

Chicago Mayor Tom Kane (Kelsey Grammer) may have a hold on his city but his Boss TV series struggles to attract viewers and big ratings. Will it be cancelled or renewed for a third season? Time will tell. The Starz TV show also features Connie Nielsen, Hannah Ware, Jeff Hephner, Kathleen Robertson, Troy Garity, Rotimi, Jonathan Groff, and Sanaa Lathan.

Here are the most recent TV ratings for Boss. The series' ratings are the best way to tell if it will be cancelled or renewed for a third season. The second season of Boss airs Friday nights. There are 10 episodes.

These figures will be updated as the weeks progress so be sure to bookmark and return to this page:

Update: Starz has cancelled Boss but may make a movie to wrap up the series.

Final season averages: 0.1...