Filmmaker Nick Davis spoke with our Gadi Elkon about his new production company Series of Dreams and about their first film released, THIS ORDINARY THING
BROKEN LAND – Interview with Writer Director JT Walker and Actor David Morse
Writer/Director J.T. Walker and Actor David Morse spoke with our Gadi Elkon about the new feature film BROKEN LAND.
JINSEI – Interview with Writer Director Animator Ryuya Suzuki and Actress Miho Ohashi
Animator and Filmmaker Ryuya Suzuki and Actress Miho Ohashi joined our Gadi Elkon for a chat about the animated feature film, JINSEI.
AMERICAN CINEMA EDITORS (ACE) ANNOUNCES DATES FOR THE 77TH ANNUAL ACE EDDIE AWARDS
American Cinema Editors (ACE) has announced the key dates for the 77th Annual ACE Eddie Awards, honoring outstanding editing in film, television, documentaries, shorts and digital content. The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2027, at UCLA’s Royce Hall in Los Angeles.
The eligibility period for all submissions runs from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
“Editing is the invisible art that makes everything else possible, and the ACE Eddie Awards exist to make that work visible,” said ACE President Sabrina Plisco. “We are proud to bring our community together once again at UCLA’s Royce Hall to honor the editors whose art shapes every story we love.”
Three special honors will be handed out at the ACE Eddie Awards ceremony including two Career Achievement recipients, presented to film editors of outstanding merit, and the Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year honor, presented to a filmmaker who exemplifies distinguished achievement in the art and business of film. Honorary award recipients will be announced later this year. The winner of the Anne V. Coates Student Editing Competition will also be announced that evening.
As a reminder, in addition to the regular film and television offerings, ACE added a new short film category. Most importantly, we’ve broadened eligibility across existing categories to include work released on platforms like YouTube. Whether reality or variety series or feature-length documentaries, ACE will judge these projects by the same rigorous standards it applies to all entries. This shift acknowledges the caliber of editing now seen in digital-first storytelling and ensures that editors working in these formats are recognized for their craft.
Submissions for nominations will open on Thursday, October 1, 2026. An early bird submission fee of $250 per title or episode is available until Monday, November 23, 2026. After this date, the submission fee will be $350. The final deadline for all submissions is Monday, December 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PT.
Nomination ballots will be sent on Monday, December 21, 2026, and are due by Thursday, January 7, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. PT. The nominations for the 77th Annual ACE Eddie Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 14, 2027.
An ACE Nominee Cocktail Party will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2027.
Please note that if a show title receives more than two nominations in a single category, it may be subject to review by the Blue Ribbon Committee. For more information on submissions and the ACE Eddie Awards, please visit https://americancinemaeditors.org.
Key dates for the 77th Annual ACE Eddie Awards are as follows:
Thursday, October 1, 2026 – Early Submissions for Nominations Begin
Monday, November 23, 2026 – Early Bird Price Deadline (visit ACE website for details)
Monday, December 7, 2026 (5pm PT) – Submission for Nominations End
Monday, December 21, 2026 – Nomination Ballots Sent
Thursday, January 7, 2027 (5pm PT) – Nomination Ballots Due
Thursday, January 14, 2027 – Nominations Announced
Friday, January 15, 2027 – Deadline for Advertising
January 18 – 25, 2027 – Blue Ribbon Online Judging
Monday, January 18, 2027 – Final Ballots Sent
Monday, January 25, 2027 – Final Ballots Due
Thursday, February 4, 2027 – ACE Nominee Cocktail Party
Saturday, February 6, 2027 – ACE Eddie Awards at UCLA’s Royce Hall
FRACTURED, A FEATURE FILM STARRING BRUCE DERN, JULIA ORMOND AND ELISSA SHAY TO MAKE ITS WORLD PREMIERE AT DANCES WITH FILMS JUNE 18-28
FRACTURED, a compelling psychological thriller written by Elissa Shay and Cary Haze, and directed by Mädchen Amick, will have its World Premiere at the 29th Annual Dances With Films on Thursday, June 25th at 8:30 pm at the TCL Chinese 6 in Hollywood.
In FRACTURED, Hayley’s infamous ex-boyfriend suddenly shows up and triggers memories of her father’s death. Having spent a lifetime masking the trauma of her childhood Hayley must now face a truth that will either heal or destroy her.
FRACTURED stars Emmy Award winner Julia Ormond (Legends of the Fall, My Week With Marilyn) as Dr. Rose, Bruce Dern (The Hateful Eight, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) as Papa Joe, and Shay as Hayley, with an outstanding supporting cast including Anne Dudeck (Mad Men), Christopher Redman (NCIS: Origins, Chicago Fire), Igbal Theba (Glee ), Jordan Belfi (Entourage), Tom Franco (The Disaster Artist), Roger Guenveur Smith (Summer of Sam), Anzu Lawson (The Blacklist) and Johnny Ferro (Hand of God) as Jax.
“Fractured started as a question I needed to answer for myself — and bringing it to the Chinese Theatre, carried by this extraordinary cast and amazing crew, is proof that the stories we’re most afraid to tell are usually the ones most worth telling. Thanks to Dances With Films for supporting independent film and inviting us to join their prestigious film festival.” says Shay.
FRACTURED is Produced by Iris Torres, Penny Edmiston, and Chelsey Neders, with Executive Producers Wavelength’s Jenifer Westphal and Joe Plummer, joining are Milan Chakraborty and Shay, along with Co-producer and Casting Director Gayle Pillsbury. Director of Photography is Justin Henning. Editors are Robin Gonsalves and Bridget Smith. Thomas Cuce and Chad Fischer composed the film’s original music. Production Designer is Melissa Woods and Costumes by Maria Giagiozis. Legal representation by Arnold Peter of Peter Law Group.
FRACTURED was filmed entirely in the Los Angeles area.
“Los Angeles is the bedrock of my career; this city gave me my start, my network, and my creative voice. Being able to film Fractured right here in L.A. was incredibly important to the producing team. This city has an unmatched creative soul, and keeping production local means supporting the world-class crews and talent who make this industry run. Thanks to actors like Julia Ormond and Bruce Dern, independent filmmaking is still alive in Los Angeles ensuring that the next generation of storytellers actually gets a chance to build a sustainable career where Hollywood began.” – says Producer Penny Edmiston
“Fractured is a film with a fearless soul, crafted from deeply personal experiences that beautifully illuminates the complexities of emotional reckoning. We believe that female driven stories not only deserve attention, but true investment, and Fractured is a shining example of what happens when you empower talented female artists”. – Executive Producer Jen Westphal
The film will screen on Thursday, June 25th at 8:30 pm at the TCL Chinese Theater, 6801 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, 90028.
Freestyle Acquires Drama MOONWATER for June 2026 Release
Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, proudly announces the acquisition of VOD rights to the drama feature MOONWATER, which will be available on North American digital HD internet, cable, DVD and satellite platforms starting on June 23, 2026.
MOONWATER tells the story of Peter, who struggles with alcoholism after his father’s death and retreats to his family’s remote cabin. He survives by hunting deer and selling their pelts to fund his next drink. One day, while tracking a deer deep in the woods, he stumbles upon his father’s long-abandoned moonshine still. Hoping to revive it, he reaches out to his estranged brother with a proposition: rebuild the still together and run it one last time. His brother agrees on one condition— Peter must quit drinking. As they work side by side, Peter’s struggle to conceal his addiction forces him to confront his crumbling sense of self-worth and grapple with what it truly means to change.
Written and directed by William Tyler Wiseman, MOONWATER was produced by Mark Wiseman, Michael Goldberg and Natalie Goldberg. Featured actors include: Matthew Wayne Roberts (‘Peter Goodman’), Michael Lee Joplin (‘Thomas Goodman’), Dannica Terry (‘Amaya Goodman’), Liz Meinders (‘Emma’) and Matthew Gordon (‘Mitch’).
“MOONWATER is a deeply personal film about growing up and coming to terms with who you are, even the imperfect parts,” said filmmaker William Tyler Wiseman. “Who we are is tied to where we come from, so filming MOONWATER on my family farm felt essential. It allowed me to tell the story with the kind of intimacy that only comes from truly knowing a place.”
Freestyle Digital Media negotiated a deal to acquire MOONWATER directly with the filmmakers.
SESAC Honors Film and Television Composers at Annual Awards
SESAC Performing Rights hosted its annual Film & Television Composer Awards at the Casa del Mar in Santa Monica, Calif., on Wednesday, June 3. A group of the industry’s top executives, publishers, and composers came together for the invitation-only event. The awards dinner honored SESAC PRO’s top composers in the categories of film, network television, local television, cable television, and streaming media.
“It’s incredibly meaningful for us to celebrate our talented composers and the passion they bring to their craft. Behind every project is an immense amount of heart, dedication, and creativity, and we’re grateful for the chance to recognize and applaud their work,” said Erin Collins, SESAC PRO’s Senior Vice President of TV/Film Creative Services.
Critics’ Choice Award nominee Daniel Lopatin received an award for his score of the Oscar-nominated hit film, Marty Supreme.
The Newton Brothers continue to be recognized for their work in contemporary horror – this year being honored for their work on Fear Street: Prom Queen and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.
Additionally, collaborators Wow Jonesand JIMIJAME$ received awards for their composition of Tyler Perry’s Duplicity.
Laura Karpman was shortlisted for Best Original Score at the Academy Awards for her work on Captain America: Brave New World.
DIRECTORS NAT WOLFF and AUSTIN CAULDWELL’S POWERFUL DOC SHORT “WHERE WE PLAYED: VOICES FROM THE FIRE” WILL MAKE WORLD PREMIERE AT THE 28TH DANCES WITH FILMS JUNE 18 – 28
“WHERE WE PLAYED: VOICES FROM THE FIRE”, an impactful documentary short telling of childrens’ experiences of the Los Angeles wildfires, will compete part of the Doc Shorts Block 3 at the TCL Chinese Theatre, Tuesday, June 23rd, 6PM.
In January 2025, devastating wildfires swept through Los Angeles. Through firsthand interviews, children reflect on what they experienced, what they lost, what they carried with them, and how their lives have been forever changed; while simultaneously holding onto hope for what comes next.
Co-directed by Nat Wolff and Austin Cauldwell, the film is presented by Zenosyne Media, produced by Mina Sundwall, Eliza Paprin and Julia Pitch, who also served as Cinematographer. The film was edited by Ben Schwaeber.
According to Wolff and Cauldwell: “In the wake of the fires, much of the conversation focused on what had been lost: homes, schools, and a sense of stability. What felt missing were the voices of the children living through it. Rather than speaking about them, we wanted to listen to them. So we set out to create a space where kids and families could share their experiences in their own words. What we found was not only grief, but resilience, optimism, and humor. Even in the aftermath of tragedy, these children continue to imagine, adapt, and grow. Their stories reminded us that they are not just witnesses to disaster, but rather, they are participants in the future being shaped around them.
Our hope is that this film encourages audiences to think about the world we are leaving for our children. It will be their world. They deserve to have a voice in it.”
Nat Wolff is a writer/director/actor/producer/musician whose short film Youngest was a HollyShorts Film Festival favorite and praised by Filmmaker Magazine. As an actor, his credits include The Fault in Our Stars, Paper Towns, Palo Alto, The Kill Team, and Amazon’s The Consultant.
Austin Cauldwell is a Los Angeles–based writer/director/actor and acting teacher. He recently wrote and directed his short film IDYLL, which premiered at Florida Film Festival in April 2026. As an actor he appeared in numerous credits on stage, film, and TV.
Mina Sundwall is an Actress/Producer and President of Zenosyne Media. As an actor, her credits include Lost in Space, Legends of Tomorrow, God of War: Ragnarok, Maggie’s Plan, and more. As a producer, she works in development and production of films and proofs of concept, including Austin Cauldwell’s Idyll, Ally Ioannides’s Sack of Bones, Gamble, Youth, Jane Anonymous.
Eliza Paprin is an Actress/Writer/Producer who studied film as a Dean’s Scholar at Emory University. She is the creator/lead of Not Like Other Girls on YouTube. Other credits include: Lola, Black Girl Day Off, Take Your Time, and Midtown Moments. With her passion for film extending behind the camera, she has served as an Associate Producer on Austin Cauldwell’s Idyll.
Julia Pitch is a Director and DoP signed at Six Twenty Six. She has directed work for commercial clients such as Spotify, Ford, Verizon, Peloton and Starbucks. She was an additional Cinematographer on On the Record, a feature documentary about the Me Too movement that went to Sundance in 2020. Her visual sensibilities are influenced by her fine art background, and she studied Illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design.
TCL Chinese Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028.
For tickets: https://danceswithfilms.com/2026-where-we-played/
FULL FILM LINEUP REVEALED FOR THE 2026 AUSTIN ASIAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL, THIS JUNE 24-28 AT AFS CINEMA
The full film lineup for the 2026 Austin Asian American Film Festival (AAAFF) has been revealed, with this year’s screenings taking place June 24 – 28, 2026 at AFS Cinema in Austin. AAAFF will present films by diverse filmmakers with origins from all over the world, as well as short films by Texas filmmakers, narrative shorts, documentaries and more. The full lineup of films can be found below and at AAAFF’s website. This year, the festival will include a special virtual reality (VR) short film experience sponsored by the Taiwan Ministry of Cultural and Taiwan Academy in Houston. Media are invited to a preview of “IN THE MIST” (VR short film) and corresponding short film “KISS,” by Director Chou Tung-Yen, who will be attending the festival, on Thursday, June 25, from 1 – 4 p.m. at the new Torch Literary Arts Center at the Linc located at 6406 N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd. There will also be a VIP red carpet at AFS Cinema on Friday, June 26 at 6:30 p.m. with details to be announced. Media may RSVP to the either event, request festival passes or secure early interview opportunities by emailing here.
The public are invited to purchase limited Insider Badges (a new opportunity for supporters, offering reserved seats in the theater, invites to private filmmaker BBQ dinner, secret Karaoke party, and priority access to any films and events) and All-Access badges which are on sale now at the AAAFF website, including five-ticket packages and individual screening tickets.
“For our 18th festival, our artistic team has curated a slate of films that are a bit more provocative, touching upon current social issues that are definitive of our diverse Asian, Asian American and international communities,” said Hanna Huang, AAAFF Executive Director. “Attendees can expect that we’ll continue to push some boundaries and bring you into the know. They will definitely also be doing more than just watching films during these five exciting days.”
AAAFF, one of the preeminent AANHPI arts organizations in town, champions Asian and Asian American stories via media arts and empowers Asian Americans to explore opportunities in cinema. This year, the annual event will feature headliners produced in the US and China and the full lineup of films can be found below:
AAAFF, one of the preeminent AANHPI arts organizations in town, champions Asian and Asian American stories via media arts and empowers Asian Americans to explore opportunities in cinema. This year, the annual event will feature headliners produced in the US and China and the full lineup of films can be found below:
AAAFF, one of the preeminent AANHPI arts organizations in town, champions Asian and Asian American stories via media arts and empowers Asian Americans to explore opportunities in cinema. This year, the annual event will feature headliners produced in the US and China and the full lineup of films can be found below:
FEATURES:
“100 Sunset”
Directed by Kunsang Kyirong
Country of Origin: Canada
Texas Premiere
“Before the Call”
Directed by James Choi (expected to be in attendance)
Country of Origin: South Korea, United States
Austin Premiere
“Do You Love Me”
Directed by Lana Daher
Country of Origin: France, Germany, Lebanon, Qatar
“Filipiñana”
Directed by Rafael Manuel
Country of Origin: Philippines, Singapore, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands
Texas Premiere
“The Gas Station Attendant”
Directed by Karla Murthy (expected to be in attendance)
Country of Origin: United States
Austin Premiere
“Ghost School”
Directed by Seemab Gul
Country of Origin: Pakistan, Germany, Saudi Arabia
Texas Premiere
“Gloaming in Luomu”
Directed by Zhang Lü
Country of Origin: China
North American Premiere
“Honeyjoon”
Directed by Lilian T. Mehrel (expected to be in attendance)
Country of Origin: United States
Austin Premiere
“Lali”
Directed by Sarmad Sultan Khoosat
Country of Origin: Pakistan
Texas Premiere
“TikTok Never Dies”
Directed by Hao Wu (expected to be in attendance with featured subjects Chloe Sexton and Steven King)
Country of Origin: United States
Texas Premiere
“Traces of Home”
Directed by Colette Ghunim (expected to be in attendance)
Country of Origin: United States
Austin Premiere
TEXAS SHORTS:
“Winter Ceremony”
Directed by Sidi Wang (expected to be in attendance)
Country of Origin: United States
“Taemong”
Directed by Sophia Lim (expected to be in attendance)
Country of Origin: United States
World Premiere
“How We Grieve”
Directed by Meghan Ross and Justin Ross (expected to be in attendance)
Country of Origin: United States
“Firewall”
Directed by Bita Ghassemi (expected to be in attendance)
Country of Origin: United States
Austin Premiere
“Cindy Tran: From Here to Here”
Directed by Xinyan Yu
Country of Origin: United States
Texas Premiere
NARRATIVE SHORTS:
“Paper Daughter”
Directed by Cami Kwan
Country of Origin: United States
Texas Premiere
“Vital”
Directed by Amir Zargara
Country of Origin: Canada, Iran
Texas Premiere
“Pilot”
Directed by Sonia Mackwani
Country of Origin: India
Texas Premiere
“11:11”
Directed by Mahnoor Euceph (expected to be in attendance)
Country of Origin: United States
Texas Premiere
“Another Daughter”
Directed by Hongyu Chen
Country of Origin: China
Texas Premiere
“Praying Mantis”
Directed by Joe Hsieh
Country of Origin: Taiwan
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS:
“Barrio Chino Havana”
Directed by Jalena Keane-Lee and Dr. Kiona (expected to be in attendance)
Country of Origin: United States
Texas Premiere
“Memories of a Window”
Directed by Mehraneh Salimian and Amin Pakparvar
Country of Origin: Germany, Iran, United States
Texas Premiere
“Daily Worker”
Directed by Ting Su
Country of Origin: China, United States
Austin Premiere
“A Flower Falling Back Into the Earth”
Directed by Rajee Samarasinghe
Country of Origin: United States
Texas Premiere
“Unfolding”
Directed by Meghna Chakraborty and Iris (Yi Youn) Kim (expected to be in attendance)
Country of Origin: United States
World Premiere
“Cookie Love”
Directed by Sari Arambulo (expected to be in attendance)
Country of Origin: United States
Texas Premiere
NOT-SO-SHORT SHORTS DOC EDITION
“MĀHŪ: A Trans-Pacific Love Letter”
Directed by Lisette Marie Flanary (expected to be in attendance)
Country of Origin: United States
Austin Premiere
“This House of Ours”
Directed by Jay Ngo
Country of Origin: Estonia
World Premiere
“Light on the Hill”
Directed by Myles Mikio Matsuno (expected to be in attendance)
Country of Origin: United States
Texas Premiere
PRE-FEATURE SHORTS
“KUCHAR (The Itch)”
Directed by Vaidaangi Sharma
Country of Origin: India
Texas Premiere
“Beneath Which Rivers Flow”
Directed by Ali Yahya
Country of Origin: Iraq
Texas Premiere
“Caught in the Stream”
Directed by Adela Kwok
Country of Origin: Canada
US Premiere
The poster for this year’s fest, designed by Emily No Good, is a fiery tribute to the Lunar Year of the Horse we are currently in. Emily (aka Bad Chuck) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Austin, working as a tattoo artist with a background in songwriting and audio production, as well as ceramics and graphic design. She is the founder and owner of No Good Tattoo, recently named Best Tattoo Shop by the Austin Chronicle.
HEARTWORM SoCal Premiere at the 29th Annual Dances With Films: LA
Normandie Films announces the SoCal Premiere of HEARTWORM, the debut feature film written and directed by Miriam Louise Arens and Mitchell Arens, at the 29th Annual Dances With Films: LA on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 4:00 PM at the TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood.
Set in a near future where virtual reality has become a refuge for the grieving, HEARTWORM follows Avena (Amber Gray), a bereaved mother battling to pull her family back from the edge of disappearance. Her husband Mark (Juan Riedinger) has retreated into NeuraLife — a fully immersive AI world that promises comfort, continuity, and escape from unbearable loss. Drawn into a disorienting journey through memory, technology, and longing, Avena must face a haunting question for our time: when comfort is infinite, what becomes of being human? At a time when AI is advancing at a dizzying pace, HEARTWORM reminds us that the most complicated questions will never belong to technology, but to the human heart.
The film features a striking breakout performance by Tony Award-nominated Broadway star Amber Gray (Persephone in the Tony Award-winning Hadestown; Master on Amazon Prime), alongside Juan Riedinger (Narcos; Claws), Lillias White (Tony Award winner, The Life; Hercules), Ellie Reine (Run the World, And Just Like That…), and Derrick Baskin (The Offer on Paramount+).
HEARTWORM has earned Official Selection laurels from Cinequest 2026, Dances With Films: LA 2026, Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, and Woods Hole Film Festival. Critics have praised the film as “tour de force acting” (CINAPSE) and called it a “masterpiece” (Go Indie Now).
Miriam and Mitchell Arens are NYU Tisch Asia alumni whose work has screened at Sundance, Cannes, Venice, SXSW, TIFF, IDFA, and Berlinale. HEARTWORM marks their feature directorial debut, produced by Normandie Films.
SCREENING DETAILS
Sunday, June 21, 2026 | 4:00 PM
TCL Chinese Theatres | Hollywood, CA
Tickets: $20 (available at danceswithfilms.com)
ABOUT THE FILM
Title: HEARTWORM Genre: Sci-fi / Drama Runtime: 106 min
Written & Directed by: Miriam Louise Arens & Mitchell Arens
Cast: Amber Gray, Juan Riedinger, Lillias White, Ellie Reine, Derrick Baskin
Website: heartwormthefilm.com
Trailer: vimeo.com/normandiefilms/heartwormtrailer2026