Class Films Make indieWIRE's List for Top Films of 2010

Cold Weather and Winter's Bone, both 6-week class projects in 2009, have made CriticWIRE's mid-year list of "Top English-language Narrative Films of 2010." IndieWIRE's, CriticWIRE, aggregates letter grade scores from over 100 critics and bloggers as they watch films released in film festivals like Cannes, Sundance, and Tribeca, in addition to theatrical releases. Cold Weather, came in at number 1 with an "A-" rating. Only 11 of the films that have either premiered in 2010 or been released theatrically have achieved a score of "A-." Read more about the films that made the list here.

Rave Reviews for Winter's Bone

Winter's Bone, the project of the May 2009 class, is receiving great reviews across the board. Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal writes of Jennifer Lawrence who plays the heroine Ree, "...a professional actress who doesn't seem to act so much as achieve a state of grace that combines intelligence with fierce resolve." NY Mag's David Edelstein states that, "Winter's Bone is the year's most stirring film." Entertainment Weekly calls it, "One of the unshowiest and most true-blooded epics of Americana you're ever likely to see." The film was edited by TEC instructor Affonso Gonçalves who was assisted by TEC alums Naomi Goodman and Tory Stewart. Winter's Bone opens in theaters this weekend in NY and LA.

Summer 2009 Project Reviewed by Interview Magazine

Cold Weather, the project of the July 2009 class, was reviewed by Durga Chew-Bose for Interview Magazine. Of the film Durga writes, "At its center, Cold Weather is the rare portrayal of an adult brother sister relationship; always maturing, yet fixed to a childlike innocence and the shared memories of adventure." The film was picked up by IFC Films for North America and multiple foreign rights and will premiere in IFC theaters and be available in homes on the same day through the "IFC in Theaters" platform. You can read the entire review here.

Class Project Picked Up by IFC

Sorry, Thanks, the project of the January 2008 class, has been picked up by IFC for VOD launch in June. IFC Entertainment president, Jonathan Sehring, describes the film as "charming and hilarious." The film premiered at SXSW in 2009 and was directed by Dia Sokol and written by herself and Lauren Veloski.

Class Film, Dog Sweat, Premieres this Summer

Dog Sweat, a class project in 2008 & 2009, will premiere at this year's Los Angeles Film Festival in the Narrative Competition category. Shot clandestinely in Tehran, the subversive Dog Sweat intertwines the lives of six young Iranians as they struggle to satisfy their private desires in the face of conservative Islamic society. Alum/instructor, Mollie Goldstein edited the film and alum Simon Wheeldon was an associate editor.

Two Class Films Picked Up for Distribution

Both Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields and Cold Weather have been picked up for distribution. Variance films plans to release Strange Powers in theaters across the U.S. and Canada with the first theatrical screening to take place at NY's Film Forum in late October. Cold Weather was picked up by IFC Films for North America and multiple foreign rights. The film will premiere in IFC theaters and be available in homes on the same day through the "IFC in Theaters" platform.

Alums Headed to Cannes

The film, Inside Job, is headed to Cannes and its editors, Chad Beck & Adam Bolt and assistant editor Eugene Yi, all Edit Center alums, will be heading out along with it. The film is directed by Charles Ferguson (No End in Sight) and narrated by Matt Damon. From the official synopsis: Inside Job is the first film to provide a comprehensive analysis of the global financial crisis of 2008, which at a cost over $20 trillion, caused millions of people to lose their jobs and homes in the worst recession since the Great Depression, and nearly resulted in a global financial collapse. Through exhaustive research and extensive interviews with key financial insiders, politicians, journalists, and academics, the film traces the rise of a rogue industry which has corrupted politics, regulation, and academia. It was made on location in the United States, Iceland, England, France, Singapore, and China.

Class Film Headed Towards Festival Sweep

For Once in My Life, the class project of the July 2009 6-week class and edited by TEC alum, Amy Foote, continues to receive positive praise and win awards. After winning the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at SXSW, the documentary has walked away with the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at the Sarasota Film Festival, the Best Documentary Award at the Sonoma International Film Festival, and both the Audience Award and the Jury Prize for Music Impact Award at the Nashville Film Festival. The film follows the Spirit of Goodwill Band -- a band composed of 28-members, all of whom are either physically or mentally disabled, as they prepare themselves for a performance at the Miami Center for the Performing Arts. 

Garbage Dreams Premieres on Independent Lens

Garbage Dreams, the project of the January 2008 six-week class, makes its television premiere on PBS' Independent Lens on April 27th. TEC Alums, Marichelle Tañag and Brian Richman were both assistant editors on the film. For more info, visit: Independent Lens.

Cold Weather Wins at Sarasota Film Festival

Cold Weather, the class project of the July 2009 six-week class, has won the Independent Visions Special Jury Prize at the Sarasota Film Festival. It was also a featured Spotlight Premiere film at SXSW. After premiering at SXSW with sold-out screenings, the film topped the critics' poll at IndieWIRE, which pooled opinions from both critics and bloggers attending the festival. Read more about the survey here.