FEBRUARY 2009

NAV is proud to be working with this fantastic new documentary and Winner of the Berlinale Special Teddy Prize (Audience / Reader Prize) and also nominated by the Teddy Jury.

CITY OF BORDERS

“When I read in the bible that I could be killed for being gay,
I understood what it was like to be Palestinian.”
–Israeli bar patron

About the Film:

In the heart of Jerusalem – defying generations of segregation, violence and prejudice – stands an unusual symbol of unity: a gay bar called Shushan. City of Borders goes inside this vibrant underground sanctuary on the East/West border of the Holy City, where people of opposing nationalities, religious affiliations and sexual orientations gather under one roof, to find acceptance and create a community among people typically viewed as each other’s “enemy.” Set against the construction of the separation wall between Israel and the Palestinian territories and the struggle for a gay pride parade in Jerusalem, City of Borders explores this resilient community’s daily fight for dignity and their right to existence. In observing the lives and struggles of the regulars at Shushan, City of Borders explores the bond forged when people from warring worlds embrace what everyone shares in common – the right to be accepted and belong – rather than be defined, or limited by the differences that tear them apart.

2008 | color | 66 minutes | USA | all digital exhibition formats available

DIRECTOR: YUN SUH

Please feel free to book with the filmmaker directly as she is HANDLING FEST DISTRIBUTION:
EMAIL: Yun Suh
510.295.7588
www.cityofborders.com

NAV and DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION

SUNDANCE PANEL

Jeffrey Winter, NAV Co-President, programmed a panel on this vital subject at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.
Orly Ravid, NAV Co-President, served as the moderator.

You all know how we’ve been forging ahead on the Digital Distribution front and updating our Digital Distribution Guide. We wanted to share this panel with you since it was so informative and featured Google’s You Tube and a couple of studios (Lions Gate, Sony), Anne Thomspson of Variety, and an interesting new digital platform called TheAuteurs.com. TheAuteurs.com is worldwide and co-owned by the Criterion Collection and leading world sales agent Celluloid Dreams but also is about to offer many other company libraries. The Auteurs.com also recently committed to including queer content.

What's Next?
The Digital Distribution Imperative

As traditional film distribution wanes, is broadband ready to pick up the slack? We are finally seeing the major Hollywood players put their cards on the table, and filmmakers are weighing their options. Will broadband revitalize the entertainment industry, or is the industry facing a collapse?

This panel assembles studio execs, major independents, and trend-spotters to discuss digital distribution: Efe Cakarel, Jordan Hoffner, Alex Barkaloff, Sean Carey, Anne Thompson and Sean Carey, moderated by Orly Ravid.

Click below or here to watch this panel and get up to speed on
the subject of Digital Distribution!

UPCOMING NEWS THAT WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT:

• We recommend that programmers keep an eye out for a new queer film nearing completion called HOLLYWOOD JE T’AIME. Produced by Charles Hermann-Wurmfeld (KISSING JESSICA STEIN, LEGALLY BLOND II) and directed by his boyfriend Jason Bushman, this has the potential to be the sleeper queer fest hit of 2009 (we’ve seen footage and it’s both sexy and intelligent!). And NAV will be repping it to the Festival circuit, pending completion.
• NAV is creating a database to track new queer film for this year’s programming; it will live in cyber space and be accessible and modifiable by all Fest programmers. We just figured this was a great way for all programmers to stay connected and keep each other updated on new films and info of upcoming queer projects. It will be live and accessible soon.
• We are making some progress, though slowly, with FEST SELECTS and will be in touch with a number of festivals very soon about a couple potential sponsors.
• One other delicious tidbit is that Ulrike Ottinger says she’s shooting a lesbian vampire film with Tilda Swinton and Isabelle Huppert, this Spring! We’re bleeding with anticipation.

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Visit our website, or view our January 2009 newsletter