Author: Greggory Morris

Writer, author, activist journalism professor with an attitude.

2022 Human Rights Film Festival Line Up, May 20-26

Seventy percent of this year’s filmmakers are women and 70 percent are sharing a story about their own region. This program reflects the festival’s ethos of celebrating diversity of content and perspective. Select films in this year’s festival will be audio described for audience members who are blind or have low vision, and closed captions will be offered for deaf and hard of hearing members of the audience. Human Rights Watch 2022 highlights activism, featuring courageous individuals from around the world standing up to powerful forces and demanding change.

“We are thrilled to be back in theaters after two years away, bringing our audience a full slate of powerful films tackling urgent human rights issues including China, Russia, the climate crisis and reproductive rights,” John Biaggi, Director of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, was quoted as saying in a press release. – This article by Gregg W. Morris

Human Rights Film Festival 2022 Alert

Human Rights Watch Film Festival returns to Film at Lincoln Center and IFC Center in New York – and streaming to homes across the U.S. from May 20-26. This year’s festival includes 18 in-person screenings in NYC followed by Q&As featuring directors, film participants, and more. Opens with REBELLION, Friday May 20, 7p.m. + streaming online from May 20-26; Closing Night film, THE JANES, Thursday May 26, 7 p.m. and streaming online May 20-26. – By Gregg W. Morris

A Riveting Micro Budgeted Movie With the Heart, Soul and Panache of a Hollywood Blockbuster: JUMP, DARLING

A kinetic, melodramatic romp of orgasmic cinematic delights with a sizzling film score, steamy dance scenes, unflinching cinematographic verisimilitude, savvy directing and acting in a family drama movie genre rarely rendered on screen: A family drama with class fused with drag culture.
  
A few of its many accolades: FilmOut San Diego, US, Best Supporting Actress Cloris Leachman and Best First Narrative Feature, Phil Connell; L.A. Outfest, US, Grand Jury Prize, International Feature Special Mention, Cloris Leachman; Lovers Film Festival, Italy, Young Lovers Jury, Matthew Shepherd Award, Phil Connell. More accolades inside. – Review by Gregg W. Morris.

Registration Open for 18th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition

72 Hour Shoot Out Competitions are designed to promote gender and ethnic diversity in media and empower emerging female filmmakers and filmmakers of color, particularly Asian Americans. Judges this year include Marci Phillips (VP, Casting for ABC Primetime), Antony Wong (Program Coordinator at the Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), of The City University of New York (CUNY)), Daniel Sakaya of CrossingsTV, and more. – Gregg W. Morris

Tribeca Festival’s 2022 Dates and Call For SUBMISSIONS

NEW YORK – August 3, 2021 – The Tribeca Festival today announced that its 21st edition will take place June 8-19, 2022 in New York City. For two decades the Festival has been a destination for new work from established filmmakers as well as emerging creators. Next June, Tribeca will continue its long tradition of exploring innovations in storytelling across film TV, VR, gaming, podcasts and more.

Click here for more information.

 

 

GIVE OR TAKE Film Review: A Gem of a Gem

Surreally uplifting existential must-see. Filmic hutzpah and derring-do infused throughout the approximately 140 minutes running time. Even the film score has a resonating cosmic touch! – By Gregg W. Morris

Damn the OMICRON, Full Speed Ahead to See a Movie
GIVE OR TAKE Opening February 11 2020– And on DVD & Digital February 22, 2022

Early Reviews: The Austin Chronicle hailed it as a “genial dramedy reminiscent of Zach Braff’s GARDEN STATE.” Midwest Film Journal: The film is a refreshingly naturalistic drama with kind characters, clever writing and a sympathetic story that gives “a touching depiction of bereavement and contemplation of identity.” See lots more talk about GIVE AND TAKE in article.
By Gregg W. Morris

Omicron Surging January 27, 2022

“The more the virus circulates, the more opportunities the virus has to change,” Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s Covid-19 technical lead, said in a statement last week. “Omicron will not be the last variant that you will hear us discuss, and the possibility of future emergence of variants of concern is very real.” – By Gregg W. Morris