Independent Feature Project

Last year, it was the bulldozer momentum of Oliver Stone's "Platoon" that plowed through the Independent Feature Project/West's Independent Spirit Awards, capturing four key awards. But this year's kudos--handed out Saturday before a starry but dressed-for-comfort capacity crowd at Rosalie's 385 North restaurant--reflected the sheer number and diversity of independently produced and distributed films released in 1987.

The abbreviated movie awards season officially kicked off Wednesday when the National Board of Review named Clint Eastwood's emotional drama "Mystic River" the best film of 2003, and the Independent Feature Project announced nominations for the Independent Spirit Awards. Irish director Jim Sheridan's semi-autobiographical drama "In America" led the Spirit nominations with six, including best feature, director and best female lead, for Samantha Morton.

Organizations representing leading independent filmmakers in Los Angeles and New York on Monday filed an antitrust lawsuit against the Motion Picture Assn. of America, claiming that the trade association's recent ban on Hollywood awards season "screeners" is the result of a conspiracy among the big studios to lessen competition and squeeze out smaller players. The suit, filed in U.S.

Organizations representing leading independent filmmakers in Los Angeles and New York on Monday filed an antitrust lawsuit against the Motion Picture Assn. of America, claiming that the trade association's recent ban on Hollywood awards season "screeners" is the result of a conspiracy among the big studios to lessen competition and squeeze out smaller players. The suit, filed in U.S.

The abbreviated movie awards season officially kicked off Wednesday when the National Board of Review named Clint Eastwood's emotional drama "Mystic River" the best film of 2003, and the Independent Feature Project announced nominations for the Independent Spirit Awards. Irish director Jim Sheridan's semi-autobiographical drama "In America" led the Spirit nominations with six, including best feature, director and best female lead, for Samantha Morton.

The Independent Features Project West hopes to be able to announce today its 1993 nominations for its Spirit Awards, traditionally given to the year's more unusual movies. The announcement has been delayed since Tuesday because of a last-minute investigation into the source of some of the financing of one of the nominated films. To be eligible, movies must have been produced with financing other than from the major Hollywood film companies.

New York City may not have the posh beaches of the Riviera nor its romping topless sun worshipers. But this month it will have its own Gotham-style film fete that organizers hope will one day rival the influence of the Cannes Film Festival. The Lincoln Center Film Society and the Independent Feature Project have joined forces to merge two already high-profile autumn events--the New York Film Festival and the Independent Feature Project market.

Independent Feature Project/West will host the West Coast premiere of "American Buffalo," David Mamet's tale of friendship betrayed starring Dennis Franz and Dustin Hoffman, on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny, Beverly Hills. Tickets are $50 and benefit IFP/West, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development, production and distribution of quality American independent films. Information: (310) 392-8832.

"Matewan," "The Dead" and "River's Edge" were among the most-nominated films for this year's third annual Independent Spirit Awards, handed out by the Independent Feature Project/West. The awards, which honor films independently created and produced, proved an accurate harbinger of the Academy Awards last year, when Independent Spirit Award winner "Platoon" also picked up several Oscars.

The Independent Features Project West hopes to be able to announce today its 1993 nominations for its Spirit Awards, traditionally given to the year's more unusual movies. The announcement has been delayed since Tuesday because of a last-minute investigation into the source of some of the financing of one of the nominated films. To be eligible, movies must have been produced with financing other than from the major Hollywood film companies.

New York City may not have the posh beaches of the Riviera nor its romping topless sun worshipers. But this month it will have its own Gotham-style film fete that organizers hope will one day rival the influence of the Cannes Film Festival. The Lincoln Center Film Society and the Independent Feature Project have joined forces to merge two already high-profile autumn events--the New York Film Festival and the Independent Feature Project market.

Last year, it was the bulldozer momentum of Oliver Stone's "Platoon" that plowed through the Independent Feature Project/West's Independent Spirit Awards, capturing four key awards. But this year's kudos--handed out Saturday before a starry but dressed-for-comfort capacity crowd at Rosalie's 385 North restaurant--reflected the sheer number and diversity of independently produced and distributed films released in 1987.

Coming soon: The Independent Feature Project/West "Independent Spirit" awards luncheon Saturday. The Alliance for Gay and Lesbian Artists in the Entertainment Industry will hold its seventh annual media awards show on April 23 to honor portrayals of gay and lesbian characters in film, television and theater. For the first time this year, the group will present an award for outstanding electronic news reporting on gay issues.

Independent Feature Project/West presents an evening with director Wes Craven on Dec. 17 at 7:30 as part of its "Independent Focus: Directors on Directing" series. Craven will be on hand for a discussion following a screening of his latest horror film, "Scream," which stars Courteney Cox, Drew Barrymore, Neve Campbell and Skeet Ulrich. "Scream" screenwriter Kevin Williamson will moderate the discussion. The screening and discussion will take place at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, 9786 W.