World News
OUT NOW: ‘For Your Consideration’ on Omeleto
After enjoying much acclaim and a warm reception on an extensive run on the film festival circuit, the comedic short film by Poppy Gordon, For Your Consideration is now available in wide release on Omeleto and Vimeo. Gordon’s live-action short For Your Consideration asks: whose Hollywood agenda are we being manipulated by and who’s pulling the strings?
Poppy Gordon’s For Your Consideration focuses on a group of young women who come together with a mission to make an Oscar-winning film. Determined to party at Sundance, three entitled young women meet up at an LA member’s only club to make a selection-worthy film. In an unholy fusion of wokeness and cluelessness, they build a narrative from atop the high perch of their privilege. And piece-by-piece, they almost, almost, almost give a voice to the voiceless — just without ever having any idea what they’re talking about. But they are perfectly positioned to make it happen.
This fantastic short, which takes a snapshot of current monetized, performative ‘woke’ pop culture and dares viewers to laugh and cringe at its manufacturing, screened at the Oscar-qualifying festivals Rhode Island and Odense, Cinequest, HollyShorts as well as Nashville International and LA Shorts. As of today, June 28, 2021, the film is available on Omeleto and Vimeo.
Director Poppy Gordon is NYC based and excels at visually driven narratives that combine bold cinematic style with pop influenced VFX. Poppy has directed work for brands such as NIKE, WAV, PayPal, Pond’s, TRESemmé, and many more. She is commercially represented by Hey Baby and also leads her own creative studio Feral. For Your Consideration was co-written by Poppy’s longtime collaborator Aldo Arias who is a New York City writer by way of Texas.
Writer Aldo Arias is an NYC-based writer by way of Texas. But he wasn’t always a screenwriter. The only son of immigrants (who weren’t going to risk their child’s future on creative writing), Aldo did the next best thing: advertising. Over the years, he’s made beaucoup campaigns, commercials and experiences — all incorporating his knack for storytelling and narrative rhythms. Now, through his company Only Child, Aldo finally has the flexibility to work on his own projects while still paying the bills.
Producer Lysette Urus is a multi-faceted producer whose most recent credit includes Co-Producer on a Quibi documentary Blackballed that covers the players’ side of the 2014 NBA race scandal. She is passionate about stories that frame the underdog and human resilience above all else.
Cinematographer Matthew Schroeder’s work has screened at The Berlin Film Festival, New York Fashion Film Festival, Ciclope, LFFF, amongst others. He lensed the pilot for Front Row, which is being developed by HBO and also shot Fabled which premiered at Tribeca.
Praise from the film festival circuit:
“This film truly is phenomenal!” – Film Snob Reviews
“A stylish, snarky, and satirical short film on how a film idea comes to life in Hollywood.” – Film Threat
“This is essential viewing for those who adore and obsess over awards season.” – Awards Daily
“Those who enjoy satire that confronts the ignorance that is often present in the film industry will appreciate For Your Consideration.” – Picture This Post
“This little film wraps it all into a tight package that makes its point, while delivering laughs.”
– Red Carpet Crash
“The performances are great all round with Samantha Robinson’s performance as Heather being particularly outstanding.” – The Consulting Detective
“Gordon’s film is pleasingly to-the-point and holds no punches. Even the title grabs you by the collar.”
– BRWC
“This film expertly highlights the hypocrisy and tokenism rampant in the entertainment industry.” – RIIFF Filmmaker Spotlight
“A time capsule of the motivations and moral dilemmas at play during our current seismic shift of consciousness.” – Hollywood Times
World News
Major step in malaria prevention as three West African countries roll out vaccine
In a significant step forward for malaria prevention in Africa, three countries—Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone—today launched a large-scale rollout of the life-saving malaria vaccine targeting millions of children across the three West African nations. The vaccine rollout, announced on World Malaria Day, seeks to further scale up vaccine deployment in the African region.
Today’s launch brings to eight the number of countries on the continent to offer the malaria vaccine as part of the childhood immunization programmes, extending access to more comprehensive malaria prevention. Several of the more than 30 countries in the African region that have expressed interest in the vaccine are scheduled to roll it out in the next year through support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, as efforts continue to widen its deployment in the region in coordination with other prevention measures such as long-lasting insecticidal nets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention.
Benin, which received 215 900 doses, has added the malaria vaccine to its Expanded Programme on Immunization. The malaria vaccine should be provided in a schedule of 4 doses in children from around 5 months of age.
“The introduction of the malaria vaccine in the Expanded Programme on Immunization for our children is a major step forward in the fight against this scourge. I would like to reassure that the malaria vaccines are safe and effective and contribute to the protection of our children against this serious and fatal diseases,” said Prof Benjamin Hounkpatin, Minister of Health of Benin.
In Liberia, the vaccine was launched in the southern Rivercess County and will be rolled out afterwards in five other counties which have high malaria burden. At least 45 000 children are expected to benefit from the 112 000 doses of the available vaccine.
“For far too long, malaria has stolen the laughter and dreams of our children. But today, with this vaccine and the unwavering commitment of our communities, healthcare workers and our partners, including Gavi, UNICEF and WHO, we break the chain. We have a powerful tool that will protect them from this devastating illness and related deaths, ensuring their right to health and a brighter future. Let’s end malaria in Liberia and pave the way for a healthier, more just society,” said Dr Louise Kpoto, Liberia’s Minister of Health.
Two safe and effective vaccines — RTS,S and R21 — recommended by World Health Organization (WHO), are a breakthrough for child health and malaria control. A pilot malaria vaccine programme in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi reached over 2 million children from 2019 to 2023, showing a significant reduction in malaria illness and a 13% drop in overall child mortality and substantial reductions in hospitalizations.
In Sierra Leone, the first doses were administered to children at a health centre in Western Area Rural where the authorities kicked off the rollout of 550 000 vaccine doses. The vaccine will then be delivered in health facilities nationwide.
“With the new, safe and efficacious malaria vaccine, we now have an additional tool to fight this disease. In combination with insecticide-treated nets, effective diagnosis and treatment, and indoor spraying, no child should die from malaria infection,” said Dr Austin Demby, Minister of Health of Sierra Leone.
Malaria remains a huge health challenge in the African region, which is home to 11 countries that carry approximately 70% of the global burden of malaria. The region accounted for 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of all malaria deaths in 2022, according to the World Malaria Report.
“The African region is taking positive steps in scaling up the rollout of the malaria vaccine – a game-changer in our fight against this deadly disease,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Working with our partners, we’re committed to supporting the ongoing efforts to protect, save the lives of young children and lower the malaria burden in the region.”
Aurelia Nguyen, Chief Programme Officer at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, noted: “Today we celebrate more children gaining access to a new lifesaving tool to fight one of Africa’s deadliest diseases. This introduction of malaria vaccines into routine programmes in Benin, Liberia, and Sierra Leone alongside other proven interventions will help save lives and offer relief to families, communities and hard-pressed health systems.”
Progress against malaria has stalled in these high-burden African countries since 2017 due to factors including climate change, humanitarian crises, low access to and insufficient quality of health services, gender-related barriers, biological threats such as insecticide and drug resistance and global economic crises. Fragile health systems and critical gaps in data and surveillance have compounded the challenge.
To put malaria progress back on track, WHO recommends robust commitment to malaria responses at all levels, particularly in high-burden countries; greater domestic and international funding; science and data-driven malaria responses; urgent action on the health impacts of climate change; harnessing research and innovation; as well as strong partnerships for coordinated responses. WHO is also calling attention to addressing delays in malaria programme implementation.
World News
Kid Cudi cancels tour after breaking foot at Coachella
Kid Cudi has been forced to cancel his tour after breaking his foot at Coachella over the weekend. During the fest’s Weekend Two on Sunday night, the rapper went to the hospital with a broken foot after jumping off the stage at the Sahara Tent. (more…)
World News
The Un Certain Regard Jury of the 77th Festival de Cannes
The Canadian actor, director, screenwriter and producer Xavier Dolan will be the President of the Un Certain Regard Jury of the 77th Festival de Cannes. He will be joined by French-Senegalese screenwriter and director Maïmouna Doucouré, Moroccan director, screenwriter and producer Asmae El Moudir, German-Luxembourg actress Vicky Krieps, and American film critic, director, and writer Todd McCarthy. They will be in charge of awarding prizes for the Un Certain Regard section, which showcases art and discovery films by young auteurs.
This year, 18 films have been selected, including 8 first films. The 2023 Un Certain Regard top prize went to director Molly Manning Walker’s debut feature How to Have Sex.
When the light breaks by Rúnar Rúnarsson will open the Un Certain Regard section on Wednesday May 15, 2024.
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World News
Kanye West reportedly planning to launch porn studio
World News
Additions to the selection of the 77th Festival de Cannes
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World News
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