Chlotrudis news

Many Chlotrudis members have a soft spot in their cinematic hearts for Canadian director Gary Burns. His third feature film, WAYDOWNTOWN, tied for the Society’s first Buried Treasure Award. Burns and the films co-star (another Chlotrudis fave) Don McKellar, were hosted by Chlotrudis in 2002 at a special preview screening of the film.

Now Burn’s latest feature is playing the Festival circuit. Boston-area Chlotrudis members were lucky enough to have the opportunity to see the film at the Independent Film Festival of Boston 2004 recently, and the five members who were at the screening I attended broke the current trend (the film wasn’t well-received in Canada) laughing uproariously and thoroughly enjoying A PROBLEM WITH FEAR.

To read more about Burns and his work, check out our “>Chlotrudis Spotlight, recently updated to include A PROBLEM WITH FEAR.

This one is a no-brainer for Chlotrudis members in the Boston area. Don’t miss the 2nd Annual Independent Film Festival of Boston running from April 29 – May 2, 2004. With films screening at the Brattle, Coolidge Corner and Somerville theatres, the festival will exhibit 47 films and will give the audience an opportunity to engage the films’ directors, casts, and crews during Q&A sessions following screenings. Attendees will also vote for the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, and Short Film. Ballots will be handed out prior to each screening and submitted while exiting the theater. All eligible films will also compete for awards that include: Best Feature Film, Best Documentary Film, and Best Short Film. A jury comprised of industry professionals will determine the winners.

Several Chlotrudis members have joined the fun by volunteering for the festival. Throughout the weekend, look for Michael Colford, Chris Kriofske, Hilary Nieukirk, and Beth Curran in the midst of the throngs of attendees, trying to keep them inline! Visit the Independent Film Festival of Boston website to see the film schedule and to purchase passes online. The line-up is really terrific, filled with incredible documentaries and Canadian films to name a few. Hope to see you there!

Filmmakers connected with fans at the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film’s 10th Annual Awards Ceremony held Sunday, March 28 at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge. Special guest Philip Seymour Hoffman cited the relaxed nature of the Chlotrudis event that allowed him to enjoy himself and laugh out loud.

The highlight of the evening was Hoffman’s induction in the Chlotrudis Hall of Fame. During a live, on stage interview, Hoffman spoke candidly to NBC Film Critic Sara Edwards. He talked about the difference between work on an indie film and a big budget movie. Hoffman admitted to finding something of himself in each character he plays.

Agn’Godard traveled from Paris to accept the Visionary Award, given to a cinematographer whose work represents an independent and creative vision. Godard also won the Chlotrudis Award for Best Cinematography for her work in Vendredi Soir (Friday Night) and was quite moved by the honor. Godard was amazed by the camaraderie the honored guests developed while visiting Boston.

That fellowship was evident at the members party at Noir Restaurant in the Charles Hotel, both sponsors of CSIF. Actress Kerry Washington chatted with writer/director/actor Daniel MacIvor about a future film project she is producing with actor David Moscow. Director Wiebke von Carolsfeld, whose debut feature Marion Bridge picked up a trophy in the Buried Treasure category, confessed to Hoffman that she turned down an editing job for Owning Mahowny so she could work on Bridge. Director Thom Fitzgerald, accepting an award for Excellence in Direction, spun an entertaining yarn about his pet cat to illustrate the need for independence in filmmaking.

Sofia Coppola was the big winner, picking up three ‘Trudies for her film Lost in Translation, including Best Movie, Director, and Original Screenplay. The Station Agent picked up three as well, including Best Cast, Best Supporting Actress (Patricia Clarkson’s second in a row for this category), and Best Supporting Actor for Bobby Cannavale which was shared with Love Liza’s Jack Kehler.

Overall, the 10th birthday celebration of Chlotrudis Awards was an indie chic crowd pleaser. For a complete list of the evening’s winners check out the current nominations page.

All photos courtesy of Brandon Constant.

Kerry Washington joins the long list of special guests being honored at the 10th Annual Chlotrudis Awards Ceremony being held March 28, 5:00 p.m. at the Brattle Theatre, Cambridge. The Chlotrudis Society for Indpendent Film has had an eye on Ms. Washington’s career ever since she mesmerized us in her big screen debut, Our Song. That movie was nominated for two Chlotrudis Awards, Best Original Screenplay and Best Cast, which Kerry had an integral part in. We are so excited to be able to present her with the Chlotrudis Award for a Breakout Career (formerly the Gertrudis Award) at this year’s ceremony.

Nominated last year for her first Independent Spirit Award for “Best Actress” in the Boston-based film Lift, Kerry has been working non-stop every since. Last fall she was seen in The Human Stain starring Nicole Kidman and Sir Anthony Hopkins and is currently gracing the big screen in Against the Ropes: The Jackie Kallen Story starring Meg Ryan. Watch for her next film, United States of Leland opposite Kevin Spacey and Ryan Gosling. Kerry is possibly best known for her supporting role in Save the Last Dance.

Kerry recently wrapped production in New Orleans in the Taylor Hackford film Unchain My Heart, the inspirational life story of Ray Charles where she played Charles’ wife Della. Also in the works is the independent film Sexual Life. She is currently filming She Hate Me, the latest film by Spike Lee and Doug Liman’s Mr. and Mrs. Smith starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. If ever there was an actress about to take off, and so deservingly, it is Kerry Washington.

Daniel MacIvor has been creating theatre since 1986. A writer/ performer/director and Artistic Director/Founder of da da kamera, his plays include Somewhere I Have Never Travelled, Yes I Am And Who Are You?, See Bob Run, Wild Abandon, This Is A Play, 2-2 Tango, The Soldier Dreams, Marion Bridge, You Are Here and In On It. With long-time collaborator Daniel Brooks, he has created The Lorca Play, House, Here Lies Henry and Monster, which have travelled throughout Canada, the U.S., Europe, Israel and Australia.

Also a filmmaker, MacIvor’s projects include writing the award-winning short film The Fairy Who Didn’t Want to be a Fairy Anymore, and writing and directing Parade (with Brad Fraser), Permission, Until I Hear From You, and Sydney That Summer. MacIvor’s first feature film Past Perfect (produced by Camelia Frieberg), was released in theatres across Canada in March and April 2003. MacIvor shot his second feature, Wilby Wonderful, in Nova Scotia in July and August 2003.

MacIvor can also be seen in Thom Fitzgerald’s Beefcake, Don McKellar’s CBC series “Twitch City,” and Jeremy Podeswa’s film The Five Senses, for which he was nominated for a Best Actor Chlotrudis Award and a Genie Award for Best Performance by an Actor. That film also won the Best Cast Chlotrudis Award. Past Perfect premiered at the 2002 Toronto International Film Festival, along with his screenplay adaptation of his play Marion Bridge, directed by Wiebke von Carolsfeld. MacIvor is also nominated this year in the Best Adapted Screenplay Category.

The Village Voice and the New York theatre community honored MacIvor by presenting a Village Voice OBIE Award to him in recognition of In On It, which ran at P.S 122 in September ‘ October 2001. Currently, MacIvor continues to tour his one-man performance Cul-de-sac and is at work on his next screenplay.

We are thrilled to present Daniel with the Chlotrudis Award for a ‘Body of Work,’ acknowledging his outstanding contributions to the stage and screen, both in front of and behind the camera.