The AwardsWatch Podcast (Film Festivals)
Podcasts from AwardsWatch on the Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, SAG and more.

On episode 168 of The AwardsWatch Podcast, AwardsWatch Executive Editor Ryan McQuade is joined by Editor-In-Chief Erik Anderson and AwardsWatch contributor Kevin L. Lee give their reactions to the best and worst films they saw for the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.

Before the guys get into their Sundance discussion, they briefly give their thoughts on the ongoing conversations surround last week’s Oscar nominations. It was announced that the Academy would be doing an investigation into the campaign practices surrounding Andrea Riseborough’s nomination. We will know more in the coming days, but until then, Ryan, Erik and Kevin take a little time to talk about all the angles of this story and what could potentially happen.

Moving on from there, the crew talk about the Sundance Film Festival, were there over 110 films featured across the in person and virtual programs. In our first look at the independent films releasing in 2023, there were a ton of fine films they may have not hit the mark entirely, but enough gems for a great discussion. First up is a discussion of a Sundance selection that just released in Brandon Cronenberg’s Infinity Pool, which led to a balanced conversation of the positives and negatives of the film (you can read Kevin's review here). From there over a dozen of films are mentioned, there is plenty to look forward to within the next couple of months. 

You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h44m. We will be back next week talk about some new releases and potential a game. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: “Modern Fashion” from AShamaleuvmusic (intro), “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Direct download: AwardsWatch_Ep168.mp3
Category:Film Festivals -- posted at: 8:35am PDT

On episode 157 of The AwardsWatch Podcast, AwardsWatch Executive Editor Ryan McQuade is joined by Editor in Chief Erik Anderson to break down the films they saw at the 2022 AFI Film Festival.

Located in beautiful Los Angeles, California, the AFI Film Festival marks the end of the Fall film festival season, and has a lineup of films expected to enchant audiences as well as be real players within the awards race. Ryan and Erik break down their thoughts on titles like Bardo, Pinocchio, Devotion, "Sr.," The Fabelmans, and more, as well as give a little bit of insight in how they can see some of these titles play out above and below the line at the Oscars this year.

2022 AFI FEST reviews

You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify and more.

This podcast runs 55m. We will be back next week with the AW team as we talk about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Until then, let’s get into it.

Music: “Modern Fashion” from AShamaleuvmusic (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro) used by permission.

Direct download: AwardsWatch_Ep157.mp3
Category:Film Festivals -- posted at: 12:55pm PDT

This week gave us the lineups of two of the fall's biggest festivals, Venice and Toronto

On this 66th Oscar podcast, I am joined by freelance film writer (you can find his work at Vanity Fair, Moviemaker magazine and more) and publications editor for the Sundance Film Festival, Daniel Joyaux

While these festival announcements always give us great intel on how studios are positioning their fall and winter awards releases, it's often the films that are missing that give us even bigger clues. Where are Bohemian RhapsodyBoy Erased, Destroyer and Mary Queen of Scots? Some may show up at Telluride, others may be added to Toronto's lineup next month (there are still three Gala spots and 30 Special Presentation slots open).

Venice will give us premieres of Damien Chazelle's First Man, while Toronto will world premiere Steve McQueen's Widows and If Beale Street Could Talk from Barry Jenkins. Alfonso Cuarón's Roma looks set to hit every major festival - Venice, Toronto, NYFF and Telluride. All eyes will be on the follow-ups of these Oscar-winning directors.

The Cannes/Netflix kerfuffle earlier this summer proved to be the gain of both Venice and Toronto as each festival is flush with debuts from the streaming service. The Coen brothers' anthology series (which will apparently compete as a feature film for the Oscars) The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Paul Greengrass's 22 July and the final film from Orson Welles, The Other Side of the Wind are all set to kick off at Venice.

I will be at the Toronto International Film Festival this year for the first time. Keep your eyes and ears open for more podcasts leading up to, at, and after TIFF.

With music this podcast runs 1h 27m.

Opening song: "Sulk" by TR/ST

Closing song: "New York City by Day" by Thomas Newman from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack of Desperately Seeking Susan

Direct download: Oscar_Podcast_66.mp3
Category:Film Festivals -- posted at: 11:14am PDT

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