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AGBO ANNOUNCES FOURTH ANNUAL GLOBAL COMPETITION FOR EMERGING FILMMAKERS, “NO SLEEP ‘TIL FILM FEST”

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AGBO announces the return of their filmmaking competition, “No Sleep ‘til Film Fest,” inviting filmmakers from all over the world to make a short film in only 48 hours. As part of AGBO’s commitment to championing emerging filmmakers, the two-day festival challenges participants to make films that are three minutes or less for a chance to win prizes and receive ongoing mentorship from the independent studio. The virtual festival will be open world-wide for submissions from September 27th – 29th with a creative prompt released online September 27th at 5pm PT; filmmakers will have 48 hours to write, produce, and edit their films based off the prompt. All submissions are due at 5pm PT on September 29th and winners will be announced November 6th.

The top three winners receive a filmmaking prize package equipped with essential resources and best-in-class equipment to use for future filmmaking opportunities. They will also join the AGBO Storytellers Collective, an alumni network of winners from other AGBO-sponsored festivals and fellowship programs such as the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum and the Slamdance Film Festival Fellowship, the same festival the Russos received their start at in 1997 as emerging filmmakers.

While AGBO develops relationships with their award-winning filmmakers and grant recipients, the goal is to maintain ongoing, meaningful dialogue, serving as mentors and champions beyond the formal timelines of fellowships and competitions. Not only is the Collective designed to ensure these filmmakers stay connected with the studio, but also with each other, fostering a community of globally diverse, like-minded creatives. 

In the past three years of the festival, “No Sleep ‘til Film Fest” received a total of over 2000 submissions from over 60 countries. 2023 winners included “Time of Your Life” directed by Darren Hinchy (Canada), “Just a Sec!” directed by Tanya Lialina and Teodor Klimov (Georgia), and “02:00 Minutes” directed by Grace McLeod (US). Previous winners’ films can be found on the AGBOVERSE and AGBO social channels. The winning films from this year will also premiere on these channels.

The festival’s panel of judges include AGBO Co-Founders Anthony and Joe Russo, Partner Donald Mustard, Chief Creative Officer Angela Russo-Otstot, Chief Innovation Officer Jake Aust, Chief Marketing Officer Marian Koltai-Levine, Co-Presidents of Story Chris Markus and Stephen McFeely, President of Film Michael Disco and President of Television Scott Nemes. The current Storytellers Collective members will also participate in judging, selecting an additional winning filmmaker to receive the “AGBO Storytellers Collective Award” and join the alumni network.

The filmmaking prize package includes high-level, industry standard tools to provide the winners with the best gear for their storytelling endeavors, supplied in sponsorship by RED Digital Camera, Blackmagic Design, GoPro, Avid, happy® coffee and AGBO.

It was recently announced that AGBO is producing “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars” alongside Marvel. In addition to AGBO’s record-breaking releases which include “Citadel” for Amazon MGM Studios, “The Gray Man” and both “Extraction” installments for Netflix, AGBO has produced multiple films for emerging filmmakers including Sam Hargrave for the “Extraction” franchise, The Daniels for the Academy Award-Winning Best Picture film “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” Natalie Erika James for “Relic” which was named a National Board of Review top ten film of 2020, and Ari Costa and Eren Celeboglu for the Asa Butterfield-Natalia Dyer horror thriller “All Fun and Games.” AGBO’s upcoming production, “The Bluff”, for Amazon MGM starring Priyanka Chopra-Jonas has another emerging director at the helm, Frank E. Flowers, directing his second feature film. 

To join the competition and to view official rules and guidelines, please visit https://AGBO.com/NoSleep AGBO’s “No Sleep ‘til Film Fest” will open for submissions September 27th, 2024, and close September 29th, 2024. There is no entry fee, the festival is free to enter and open to filmmakers worldwide.

Ted aka Steady is a film critic and the managing editor forCountdownCityGeeks.com. He has covered some of the largest pop culture events in the world including SXSW and San Diego Comic-Con. He has also hosted a variety of events such as eSports Tourneys, film festivals, to moderating panels for some of the biggest names in entertainment including Josh Brolin, Rosario Dawson and Giancarlo Esposito.

Comics

Immortal Legend Batman Announced during C2E2

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During his spotlight panel at C2E2, writer Kyle Higgins (Radiant Black, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) and fan-favorite artist Dan Mora (Superman, Justice League Unlimited, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest) announced and revealed covers and concept art for Immortal Legend Batman. Higgins and Mora will also be joined by Writer Mat Groom (Ultraman, Inferno Girl Red) and artist Erica D’Urso (Captain, Marvel, Inferno Girl Red) for this six-issue limited series launching under DC’s Elseworlds banner.

Available for preorder Friday, May 23, Immortal Legend Batman arrives at participating comic book shops and digital retailers Wednesday, August 27. This series combines the best elements of superhero storytelling with elements of the Japanese “tokusatsu” genre of entertainment, like the Western sci-fi/fantasy, encompassing everything from Japanese kaiju to manga. “In Immortal Legend Batman,Dan, Mat, Erica, and I are using elements of ‘superhero tokusatsu,’ so readers can expect to see cool and recognizable elements like mech/armor-style transformations, specifically named combat moves, a gradually expanding team, and more,” said writer Higgins.

Many centuries from now, humanity becomes a galactic civilization with capital megacities on multiple planets and smaller outposts on dozens more. To conquer the vast distances between solar systems, humanity tapped into dark matter to bend space-time around spacecraft, from hulking colony vessels to one-man mech suits. In accessing this dark power, humanity broke the barrier between their universe and their universe’s shadow. This resulted in the creation of “Shadows”: mindless, soulless apparitions craving nothing but violence and destruction. Due to the actions of these Shadow creatures, newly colonized worlds were brought to the brink of collapse. But three warriors found a way to access the energy that bound their universe to the shadow universe, becoming “immortal legends”: Immortal Legend Batman, Immortal Legend Robin and Immortal Legend Nightwing.

For more information on Immortal Legend Batman and the World’s Greatest Super Heroes, follow @DCOfficial on social media and visit the DC website at https://www.dc.com. A robust selection of classic new Elseworlds series is available to read with a subscription to the DC UNIVERSE INFINITE digital subscription platform (DCUI). For more information and a free trial, visit the DCUI website at https://www.dcuniverseinfinite.com

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‘Good Boy’: An exceptional haunting film from a dog’s perception. – Review

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Have you ever wondered why your furry companion stares at the wall or barks when there is nothing around? In this independent horror film, it presents a possible explanation to why your dog behaves in a peculiar manner. Good Boy is a unique take on creating a horror film where the main character is Indy, an adorable loyal dog that will do what it takes to protect his human friend and not leave his side.

Indy made his grand entrance at the 2025 SXSW in Austin, Texas and captivated the audience with his handsome furry coat and charming face. Indy was trained by his owners Kari Fischer and Ben Leonberg, along with the help of a professional trainer. It took more than 400 days (over the course of a couple of years) to complete filming due to the specific commands and desired behaviors that Indy had to learn, but most importantly ensuring his comfort and safety.

You can watch the video here of Indy showing off his impressive skills during the Q&A with Ben Leonberg and Kari Fischer (aka dog parents).

The screenplay was written by Alex Cannon and Ben Leonberg, who also directed the film. They created a unique perspective of a horror film by developing the storyline from a dog’s point of view.

The film begins with Todd in his apartment looking catatonic with indications that he might be suffering from an illness. Indy is by his side and appears to be uncomfortable and restless witnessing Todd being lethargic. Todd decides to move out of the city to the family’s countryside home and takes his loyal dog, Indy, with him. It is here where the supernatural forces lurk in the shadows and Indy feels its strange presence.

The scenes have all those spooky elements a horror, suspense film should have – the dark rooms, chilling sounds, creepy shadows, and thunderous storms. There is even a mysterious cemetery that is part of the property. It is said that dogs have a sixth sense, and this film depicts the fear and concern from Indy that death may be lurking around.

If you are a dog owner or an avid dog lover, Good Boy will touch your emotions as you observe Indy’s faithfulness and courage to save his owner, Todd, from whatever entity haunting them.

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See photos from Paramount+’s ‘Happy Face’ SXSW World Premiere

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On Monday, March 10th, Paramount+ hosted the SXSW world premiere of the highly anticipated drama series HAPPY FACE at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas. Guests viewed a special advanced screening of the new series, which premieres with two episodes March 20 exclusively on Paramount+.

Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Paramount+

Attendees included series stars Annaleigh Ashford, Dennis Quaid, James Wolk, Tamera Tomakili, Jennifer Cacicio (Showrunner),Melissa G. Moore (Executive Producer), Robert King (Executive Producer), Michelle King (Executive Producer) and Liz Glotzer (Executive Producer). 

Earlier in the day, cast and executive producers also visited Paramount+’s ‘The Lodge’ – the ultimate fan experience, offering an unforgettable and immersive journey that lets guests engage with hit content, iconic franchises and beloved characters – including the special HAPPY FACE activation. 

Don’t miss the two-episode premiere of the thrilling new drama Happy Face, streaming March 20 exclusively on Paramount+, with new episodes every Thursday. Inspired by a true-life story, Happy Face follows Melissa Reed (Annaleigh Ashford), daughter of Keith Jesperson, also known as “the Happy Face Killer” (Dennis Quaid). After decades of no contact, Keith forces his way back into his daughter’s life, and Melissa must find out if an innocent man is going to be put to death for a crime her father committed. In the process, she faces a reckoning of her own identity.


Key Art for Happy Face with Annaleigh Ashford as Melissa Reed and Dennis Quaid as Keith Jesperson, season 1, streaming on Paramount+. Photo credit: Paramount+
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