AXN Film Festival; Cuarón signs to Anonymous content

In June, television station AXN announced the jury for the 4th edition of its film festival, which will search for the best short film in Latin America.  Jury members will include Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna, and Carlos Cuarón, among other actors and filmmakers.  The winner will receive a Sony HDV camera and the equivalent of ten thousand dollars.  Second and third place recipients will receive an HDV and MiniDV camera respectively.  Read more (EFE).  Submissions are due 15th August.

In other news, Videography reports: Alfonso Cuarón has recently signed to production and management firm Anonymous Content’s commercial division.  Of the director’s credentials, executive producer Dave Morrison said, “He has a rare insight into human nature and the even scarcer ability to convert those instincts into a story. We are really looking forward to doing whatever we can to help Alfonso put out more incredible work into the advertising space.”

Win Rudo y Cursi promotional goodies

FutureMovies.co.uk:

“To celebrate the UK release of RUDO & CURSI a comedy about the rivalry between two brothers trying make it in the world of football, set in Mexico starring Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna, produced by Alfonso Cuarón, Alejandro González Iñárritu and Guillermo del Toro. We have 3 bundles of RUDO & CURSI goodies to give away including books, soundtracks, DVDs and posters.”

The condition for entry is not very difficult, especially for Cuarón fans: “Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna previously starred in which Mexican road movie?” Check it out (NB: This contest is for UK residents only).

Informador profiles Lubezki; Nike Basketball campaign

El Informador recently profiled cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki and touches on the urban legend of his explusion – along with Alfonso Cuarón and Luis Estrada – from Centro Universitario de Estudios Cinematográficos.  Read more.

AdHunt’s Tom also posted a new Nike ad campaign, filmed by Lubezki.  Check them out.

Agency: Wieden + Kennedy, Portland
Creative Directors: Jeff Williams, Alberto Ponte
Copywriter: Edward Harrison
Art Directors: Sasha Swetschinski, Matt Murphy
Head of Production: Ben Grylewicz
Senior Agency Producer: Matt Hunnicutt
Agency Producer: Jessica Staples
Production Company: Imperial Woodpecker, New York
Director: Stacy Wall
Executive Producer: Doug Halbert
Producer: Jeff McDougall
DP: Emmanuel Lubezki
Puppets: Legacy Effects

Cuarón to attend Edinburgh Film Festival

Hollywood Reporter: Alfonso and Carlos Cuarón as well as Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal, among others, will be in attendance at the Edinburgh International Film Festival which runs 17 through 28 June in the Scottish capital.  Rudo y Cursi screens on the 21st and the 24th.

Diego Luna prepares his first fiction film; Hola México ‘09

Following his documentary on Mexican boxer JC Chávez, actor Diego Luna has begun pre-production on his second film and first fiction project. Speaking to Cesar Huerta, Luna told El Universal that he would not attempt to both act and direct and that he has sought advice from friends and colleagues Alfonso and Carlos Cuarón. The film, still untitled, was co-written by (César) Augusto Mendoza, and according to Hispanic Online, will feature “a delusional 10-year old thinks he’s the father of his three brothers and that his mother is his wife.” Filming begins in the central Mexican state of Aguascalientes in July.

In other news, the second edition of the Hola México Film Festival will pass through three American cities this year: Los Angeles (9-13 June), Chicago (19-25 June), and New York City (23-28 June). “This is a very exciting time for Mexican cinema and we are excited to share with American audience,” said festival director Samuel Douek. Read more

Opportunities for filmmaking in the economic recession

OEM reports: Although Rudo y Cursi has not yet premiered in Europe, Carlos Cuarón is already preparing for the Mexican and North American releases of its DVD. The director indicated that there will be no director’s commentary for the Mexican edition, he and main actors Luna and Bernal would gather soon to record a chat over a few beers for the American edition. The Mexican edition will include extra features to compensate, including a karaoke version of “Quiero que me quieras,” Bernal’s Spanish-language cover of Cheap Trick’s “I Want You to Want Me.” Cuarón also commented that in the economic recession’s decreased film output, he was taking the opportunity to take a look at directing his own completed scripts that have not yet been made into films. Read more.

Luna and García Bernal respond to swine flu discrimination

La Vanguardia and Universal report, “Actors Diego Luna and Gael Garcia, along with film director Carlos Cuarón condemn xenophobia against Mexicans in the United States has known since the H1N1 virus.” Luna added, “The crisis should serve to open up our awareness as human beings. It’s pathetic and shameful that we are treated like stink.”

Cuarón denounced the mistreatment by an airport police upon knowledge of their nationality, and described swine flu as “an unfortunate tragedy that is becoming an excuse for xenophobia.” Luna indicated that he was treated differently from Bernal, despite boarding the same flight, because Bernal carried an American driver’s license, while flying to promote their new film Rudo y Cursi (AFP). Univision invites readers to send a message of solidarity with international artists, who declared “We are all Mexicans”, calling for the end of discrimination against Mexicans.

Swine flu has also affected the film industry domestically in Mexico, including distribution, premieres, and festivals. Other venues of the entertainment industry have also been affected, with clubs, concert halls, and stadiums empty, while cinemas also remain closed.