Latest news with #FreestyleDigitalMedia


Geek Tyrant
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Charming Trailer for MAGNETOSPHERE Highlights a Girl with Synesthesia — GeekTyrant
Freestyle Digital Media has just released the official trailer for Magnetosphere , a quirky indie coming-of-age comedy directed by Nicola Rose. Set in 1997, Magnetosphere introduces us to 13-year-old Maggie Campion, played by Shayelin Martin, who has synesthesia, a rare condition that causes her senses to blend in extraordinary ways. Maggie can see sounds and hear colors, but she's kept her unusual abilities to herself until life forces her to embrace them. As she navigates new experiences in a new town, including first love, school struggles, and a chaotic community theater production, Maggie starts to discover that her 'weirdness' might be her greatest strength. 'Maggie's world turns upside down when her family relocates, bringing with it a quirky new environment filled with oddball characters. Her theatrical dad (played by Patrick McKenna) is busy staging a hilariously unpolished production of The Pirates of Penzance , while Maggie meets her first best friend, her first crush, and a teacher who sees the potential in her. "Along with these new relationships, Maggie's path crosses with Gil, the family's eccentric handyman and exterminator, who might just have a surprising talent of his own.' It's this motley crew of characters that helps Maggie finally understand her condition and come to terms with her unique abilities. 'Maggie begins to realize her so-called 'weirdness' might just be her greatest gift.' The film looks like a charming, heartfelt exploration of adolescence, self-acceptance, and the strange beauty of synesthesia. It will be released on VOD on July 22, 2025. This charming indie promises to be a must-watch for anyone who's ever felt like they see the world a little differently.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Freestyle Digital Media Acquires ‘A Spartan Dream,' Sets Limited Theatrical Release- Film News in Brief
Freestyle Digital Media— the independent film arm of Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios—has acquired the distribution rights to 'A Spartan Dream' and will release it in select theaters for one week, starting Aug. 15. 'A Spartan Dream' is a romantic-comedy adventure film riddled with fantasy and myth. Based on a true story, the film follows an ancient-Greece-obsessed American who travels to the land of his ancestors to sell his old family homestead. However, plans go awry when he falls in love with a beautiful Greek woman; he changes course to salvage the village and change history. More from Variety Daytime Emmy-Winner 'Venice The Series' Returns for Season 7 on Vimeo (EXCLUSIVE) Vimeo Hires Google Cloud AI Exec Philip Moyer as CEO Vimeo Is Shutting Down Its TV Apps This Month The film stars Peter Bundic, Georgia Mesariti, Katerina Didaskalou, Renos Haralambidis, and Nikos Tsergas, and is the feature directorial debut for M. Achilles. It gained attention after winning Best Feature Film at the 2025 Prague Actors and Filmmakers Film Festival. The movie's theatrical run will take place in five cities between Aug. 15 and Aug. 22. It will simultaneously become available on VOD platforms, and the DVD will release in September. The release marks another step the fast-growing, diverse slate of independent films that Freestyle Digital Media aims to showcase for wide audiences. The 'We Are Guardians' film impact campaign team has raised over $1 million in support of the Indigenous-led movement to protect the Amazon rainforest and its people. The majority of the impact campaign funds will be directed to the forest guardians featured in the film and Indigenous-led initiatives, including projects and training for Indigenous women. The money will also be used to build the infrastructure necessary to achieve the film's long-term impact goals, support the film's release, fund accessible community events, educational theatrical experiences and opportunities for viewers to engage in person with Indigenous movement leaders. 'The film's impact campaign is an essential part of the project,' Edivan Guajajara, the film's director, said. 'It's not just about showing the story, but mobilizing people, creating strategic partnerships, influencing policies, and inspiring everyone to join this fight. The world needs to understand that protecting Indigenous peoples is protecting the planet. Every viewer can become a guardian. That's our mission.' Produced by Fisher Stevens with Leonardo DiCaprio as executive producer, 'We Are Guardians' is an environmental documentary that follows the Indigenous forest protectors of the Amazon as they risk their lives to fend off illegal loggers and land invaders. In addition to raising money, the impact campaign has delivered drones, radios, firefighting equipment and cameras to forest guardians as well as building monitoring bases. Following its premiere in June, the theatrical release of 'We Are Guardians' opens in New York on Friday and will continue its showings nationwide through September. The International Cinematographers Guild (ICG, IATSE Local 600) has chosen eight honorees to receive the 2025 Emerging Cinematographer Awards (ECAs). Among honorees are Isaac Banks, 'The Trophy King,' John B. Barrett, 'Recall,' Daniel Cotroneo, 'Yae: Blind Samurai Woman,' Eythan Maidhof, 'Class Clown,' Mariscela Beatríz Méndez, 'The Middle,' Josh Pickering, 'Boundless | HomeAid,' Steven Jacob Russell, 'Hammer' and Alexa Wolf, 'To Fade Away.' The ECAs support the next generation of visual storytellers by spotlighting and honoring early-career and emerging Directors of Photography. 'The Emerging Cinematographer Awards reflect the important values that ICG stands for — fostering talent, mentorship, and supporting a strong creative community,' says John Lindley, ASC, National President of the ICG. 'These honorees represent the future of our craft, and we're privileged to elevate their visions at this pivotal moment in their careers.' 'By recognizing outstanding talent at the earliest stages of their careers, the ICG is proud to help open doors and create opportunities for emerging Directors of Photography to thrive in this dynamic industry,' says Steven Poster, ASC, Chair of the Guild's ECA committee. Eduardo Fierro, SVC, 2013 ECA alumnus who now joins this year as the new Co-Chair of the ECA committee, adds, 'It's an honor to step into this role and help continue the tradition of uplifting fresh voices in cinematography. As an ECA alumnus, this has been a full circle experience for me. The ECAs celebrate both artistic excellence and the spirit of mentorship that defines our community.' The 27th annual awards gala and reception will be held at the Television Academy Saban Media Center Wolf Theatre, on Sept. 28. Vimeo has announced the full list of their first Short Film Grant winners. The program, which was launched earlier this year in March, is set to provide aspiring filmmakers with industry access and the opportunity for distribution to Vimeo's global audience. 'For two decades, Vimeo has served and inspired millions of filmmakers and film enthusiasts around the world,' says Philip Moyer, the CEO of Vimeo. 'We are incredibly proud to partner with industry leaders, Nikon and RED, on this new grant program to accelerate the future of storytelling and launch a new generation of filmmakers. Together we will provide filmmakers with resources, mentorship, and a trusted platform to create exceptional short films and connect with a global audience.' The 2025 winners were selected by a jury of industry professionals including David Lowery ('The Green Knight), Charlotte Wells ('Aftersun'), Sean Wang ('Didi'), Savanah Leaf ('Earth Mama') and cinematographer Adam Bricker. Recipients of this year's award will receive $30,000 each in funding for their films, as well as personal mentorship opportunities with the selection jury and the Vimeo Curation Team. Winners will also receive the latest Z CINEMA line of professional equipment and a Vimeo Standard subscription. See below for the full winners list. 'Spaceboi,' directed by Andrew J. Rodriguez 'La Selva,' directed by Sofia Camargo 'I Remember the House Was Red,' directed by Carmen Pedrero 'The Only Man to Ever Exist,' directed by Annie Ning 'The Ineffable Hum,' directed by John C. Kelley Pathway Pictures and SheNYC Arts have wrapped production on the dark comedy feature film 'Sheepwell,' starring Michole Briana White, Alix Lapri, Connor Paolo and producer Lauren Elizabeth Harris. Based on the Off Broadway play of the same title by Margaret Rose Caterisano, director Kim Caicedo adapted the story into a screenplay alongside Danielle DeMatteo. 'Sheepwell' is described as a feminist thriller that reveals what happens when an overconfident traveler messes with the wrong woman. Denise Grayson also acted in the film. 'Upon reading the script for the first time, I was immediately consumed by these women and the eerie, twisted Southern landscape that they're trying to survive in,' Caicedo said. 'This film is more than just a mystery and a thriller. It's a real-life depiction of what women in our society have to fear and fight for every day.' DeMatteo, who is also the founder and artistic director of SheNYC Arts, added, 'Sheepwell' is an incredibly special story that's kept all of us up at night at SheNYC, ever since we first read the original play script. We had the privilege of bringing it to life on an off-Broadway stage back in 2023, and it's going to be even more thrilling and shocking on screen.' Best of Variety Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?

Associated Press
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
FREESTYLE DIGITAL MEDIA RELEASES HOLLYWOOD-THEMED DOCUMENTARY 'A STAR WITHOUT A STAR'
Feature-Length Hollywood Documentary Presenting the Life of Black Actress Juanita Moore Now Available on North American VOD Platforms and DVD 'My directorial mission with A STAR WITHOUT A STAR is to challenge the longstanding biases in Hollywood, particularly towards actors and actresses whose performances have made a profound impact.'— Filmmaker Kirk E. Kelleykahn LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, July 7, 2025 / / -- Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen's Allen Media Group, has just released the feature documentary A STAR WITHOUT A STAR, which is now available to rent/own on all North American digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms, as well as on DVD. The feature-length documentary A STAR WITHOUT A STAR presents an illuminating and heartfelt tribute to movie actress Juanita Moore, whose legacy has been widely neglected by many in the show business community for years. The documentary traces a group of unknowns who noticed that legendary actress Juanita Moore had no star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, they then made a push to get her star approved posthumously by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. A STAR WITHOUT A STAR celebrates Moore's career, showing why she deserves such status by allowing viewers to see the radiant qualities that made her shine like a bright star. Nominated for a 'Best Actress' Academy Award for her role in 1959's IMITATION OF LIFE, Moore made over 70 films and acted as a mentor paving the way for many Black performers. A STAR WITHOUT A STAR makes clear that Moore never got the recognition she so richly deserved and today her name is unfamiliar to most. Using archival footage, interviews with Moore's contemporaries and those she inspired, in addition to numerous interviews with Moore herself, this documentary follows the career and struggles of a Hollywood pioneer upon whose shoulders so many stood. A STAR WITHOUT A STAR celebrates her career, showing why she deserves such status and allowing audiences to see the radiant qualities that make her shine like a bright star. Directed by Kirk E. Kelleykahn, A STAR WITHOUT A STAR was written by Celeste Bedford and Kirk E. Kelleykahn, and produced by Darnell Tyler, and Kirk E. Kelleykahn. Featured interviews include Sidney Poitier, Juanita Moore, Susan Kohner, and Louise Fletcher. 'My directorial mission with A STAR WITHOUT A STAR is to challenge the longstanding biases in Hollywood, particularly towards actors and actresses whose performances have made a profound impact, shifting perceptions through their characters. It sheds light on the power of storytelling to open eyes to the harsh realities of racism,' said filmmaker Kirk E. Kelleykahn. 'IMITATION OF LIFE tells the story of a woman rejected and devalued because of the color of her skin. Through this film, the documentary also serves to give overdue recognition to those celebrities who, despite their lasting influence, were denied acknowledgement on the Walk of Fame for decades. This powerful work aims to change how we see history, offering respect and recognition to those who truly deserve it.' Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the deal to acquire A STAR WITHOUT A STAR directly with filmmaker Kirk E. Kelleykahn. A STAR WITHOUT A STAR: About Freestyle Digital Media The digital distribution unit of Byron Allen's Allen Media Group, Freestyle Digital Media, is a premiere multi-platform distributor with direct partnerships across all major cable, satellite, digital, and streaming platforms. Capitalizing on a robust infrastructure, proven track record, and a veteran sales team, Freestyle Digital Media is a true home for independent films. Recent releases include ALLSWELL IN NEW YORK starring Emmy award-winning actress Liza Colón-Zayas from the hit FX series THE BEAR, ALL HAPPY FAMILIES starring Josh Radnor and Rob Huebel, the drama based on a novel THE GHOST TRAP starring Zak Steiner from EUPHORIA and Greer Grammer of AWKWARD, and the Weekly World News horror-comedy THE ZOMBIE WEDDING. Other Freestyle Digital Media titles include THE ROAD DOG starring comedian Doug Stanhope, SURVIVE starring HBO's GAME OF THRONES star Sophie Turner and Corey Hawkins, the music documentary profiling blues guitar legends Jimmie Vaughan and Stevie Ray Vaughan, BROTHERS IN BLUES, DEAR ZOE starring Sadie Sink from the hit Netflix series STRANGER THINGS, Jessica Capshaw and Theo Rossi, the teen musical BEST SUMMER EVER featuring a fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities, produced by Jamie Lee Curtis, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary Steenburgen, and Ted Danson, and THE WEDDING YEAR starring Sarah Hyland and Anna Camp. For more information, visit: Eric Peterkofsky Allen Media Group / Freestyle Digital Media [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

Associated Press
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
FREESTYLE DIGITAL MEDIA RELEASES DRAMEDY 'GUITAR LESSONS'
Comedy-Drama Sets Digital Debut for North American VOD Platforms and DVD on July 1, 2025 'GUITAR LESSONS is a story about a people and a place under pressure. Then brings us back to some easily forgotten truths, like life is hard but some kindness and a well-tuned guitar can go a long way.'— Filmmaker Aaron James LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, July 1, 2025 / / -- Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen's Allen Media Group, has just released the dramedy GUITAR LESSONS, which is now available to rent/own on all North American digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms, as well as on DVD, starting July 1, 2025. GUITAR LESSONS is the story of a 15-year-old Metis boy and a cantankerous oilfield contractor who learn to grow up together over guitar lessons. Leland (Kaden Noskiye) is a 15-year-old Metis boy living in Northern Canada. After inheriting an old guitar from a father he never knew, he sets out to find someone who can teach him to play. Ray (Corb Lund) is a local 50-year-old oilfield contractor. Ray is handsome and wealthy, with a weakness for women. He was something of a rock star back in the day, but found success in the oil patch of Alberta, and never looked back. When Leland asks Ray for guitar lessons, Ray refuses - but Leland persists. One day Ray sees Leland's guitar, recognizing it as one played by an old bandmate. From there Ray starts taking an interest in the boy, and the guitar. When Leland endures a beating rather than help some local thugs rob Ray's garage of its vintage motorcycles, Ray's investment in the boy increases. Encouraged by the few people close to him, Ray relents, and the lessons commence. And a poor 15-year-old Metis boy and a rich 50-year-old colonizer learn to grow up together over guitar lessons. Written and directed by Aaron James, GUITAR LESSONS was produced by Aaron James. The featured cast includes: Corb Lund ('Ray Mitchell'), Conway Kootenay ('Ernie Ghostkeeper'), Kaden Noskiye ('Leland Parenteau'), Lianna Makuch ('Denise'), William Auger ('Bruiser'), Roseanne Supernault ('Rayleen'), and Marie Zydek ('Veronica'). 'Guitar Lessons is a story about a people and a place under pressure: family, race, romance, class - the headaches for which we have no pill,' said filmmaker Aaron James. 'Then it brings us back with a hug to some easily forgotten truths, like life is hard but some kindness and a well-tuned guitar can go a long way.' Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the deal to acquire GUITAR LESSONS directly with the filmmaker Aaron James. GUITAR LESSONS website: About Freestyle Digital Media The digital distribution unit of Byron Allen's Allen Media Group, Freestyle Digital Media, is a premiere multi-platform distributor with direct partnerships across all major cable, satellite, digital, and streaming platforms. Capitalizing on a robust infrastructure, proven track record, and a veteran sales team, Freestyle Digital Media is a true home for independent films. Recent releases include ALLSWELL IN NEW YORK starring Emmy award-winning actress Liza Colón-Zayas from the hit FX series THE BEAR, ALL HAPPY FAMILIES starring Josh Radnor and Rob Huebel, the drama based on a novel THE GHOST TRAP starring Zak Steiner from EUPHORIA and Greer Grammer of AWKWARD, and the Weekly World News horror-comedy THE ZOMBIE WEDDING. Other Freestyle Digital Media titles include THE ROAD DOG starring comedian Doug Stanhope, SURVIVE starring HBO's GAME OF THRONES star Sophie Turner and Corey Hawkins, the music documentary profiling blues guitar legends Jimmie Vaughan and Stevie Ray Vaughan, BROTHERS IN BLUES, DEAR ZOE starring Sadie Sink from the hit Netflix series STRANGER THINGS, Jessica Capshaw and Theo Rossi, the teen musical BEST SUMMER EVER featuring a fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities, produced by Jamie Lee Curtis, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary Steenburgen, and Ted Danson, and THE WEDDING YEAR starring Sarah Hyland and Anna Camp. For more information, visit: Eric Peterkofsky Allen Media Group / Freestyle Digital Media [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
FREESTYLE DIGITAL MEDIA RELEASES 'ABBY'S LIST, A DOGUMENTARY'
Feature-Length Documentary Sets Digital Debut for North American VOD Platforms and DVD on May 23, 2025 'At its core, ABBY'S LIST, A DOGUMENTARY is a buddy film. Abby was a dog, but she was also my best friend. And we were just taking a road trip together. I think everyone can relate to that.'— Filmmaker Mark Sutherland LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, May 23, 2025 / / -- Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen's Allen Media Group, has just released the feature unscripted narrative feature documentary ABBY'S LIST, A DOGUMENTARY, which will be available to rent/own on all North American digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms, as well as on DVD, starting May 23, 2025. ABBY'S LIST is currently enjoying a limited theatrical run nationwide. While technically a documentary, this fun and thoughtful film feels like a cinematic feature. Part comedy, part drama, and family-friendly, this buddy film will leave audiences laughing and crying. Shot in twenty incredible locations with over 5 million views of its road and promo videos. ABBY'S LIST, A DOGUMENTARY is the story of 14-year-old Whippet Abby and her human, Mark, as they embark on an epic cross-country road trip. From captaining a yacht to riding It's a Small World, making friends with a dolphin and a deer, even peeing on the world's tallest trees, Abby does it all! By the way, whose list is this anyway… Abby's or Mark's? As the journey unfolds, we realize that all they really want is quality time together. And incredibly, the universe intervenes. Abby starts aging in reverse, and their three-week bucket list trip morphs into the three-year journey of their lives! Written and directed by Mark Sutherland, ABBY'S LIST, A DOGUMENTARY was produced by Sutherland – with Don Lee, Bill Farmer, Jennifer Farmer, Mark Thorsell, and Jesse Lynn Madera serving as executive producers. Jennifer O'Kain served as consulting producer and Courtney DeSando Kaplan served as associate producer. The subjects profiled and interviewed include Abby Sutherland, the Whippet, Mark Sutherland, Jack Hanna, Bill Farmer (Voice of Goofy), Sophie Cole, Scott Simpson, Laura Maxwell Murnane, and Trooper the Three-Legged Deer. 'Making ABBY'S LIST, A DOGUMENTARY changed my whole life, and it changed Abby's life too,' said filmmaker Mark Sutherland. At its core, ABBY'S LIST, A DOGUMENTARY is a buddy film. Abby was a dog, but she was also my best friend. And we were just taking a road trip together… having a little fun and figuring a few things out along the way. I think everyone can relate to that.' Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the deal to acquire ABBY'S LIST, A DOGUMENTARY with the filmmaker Mark Sutherland and producer Jennifer O'Kain. ABBY'S LIST, A DOGUMENTARY website: About Freestyle Digital Media The digital distribution unit of Byron Allen's Allen Media Group, Freestyle Digital Media, is a premiere multi-platform distributor with direct partnerships across all major cable, satellite, digital, and streaming platforms. Capitalizing on a robust infrastructure, proven track record, and a veteran sales team, Freestyle Digital Media is a true home for independent films. Recent releases include ALLSWELL IN NEW YORK starring Emmy award-winning actress Liza Colón-Zayas from the hit FX series THE BEAR, ALL HAPPY FAMILIES starring Josh Radnor and Rob Huebel, the drama based on a novel THE GHOST TRAP starring Zak Steiner from EUPHORIA and Greer Grammer of AWKWARD, and the Weekly World News horror-comedy THE ZOMBIE WEDDING. Other Freestyle Digital Media titles include THE ROAD DOG starring comedian Doug Stanhope, SURVIVE starring HBO's GAME OF THRONES star Sophie Turner and Corey Hawkins, the music documentary profiling blues guitar legends Jimmie Vaughan and Stevie Ray Vaughan, BROTHERS IN BLUES, DEAR ZOE starring Sadie Sink from the hit Netflix series STRANGER THINGS, Jessica Capshaw and Theo Rossi, the teen musical BEST SUMMER EVER featuring a fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities, produced by Jamie Lee Curtis, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary Steenburgen, and Ted Danson, and THE WEDDING YEAR starring Sarah Hyland and Anna Camp. For more information, visit: Eric Peterkofsky Allen Media Group / Freestyle Digital Media [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.