'Get Out' Crowned Best Feature At Film Independent Spirit Awards

Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out

The Film Independent Spirit Awards, presented by Film Independent, the 
nonprofit arts organization to honor the best independent films of 2017, 
were held tonight in Santa Monica. Below is a complete list of winners.  
The annual ceremony celebrates independent film. The show was hosted 
for the second year by Nick Kroll and John Mulaney.

WINNERS LIST 

BEST FEATURE
Get Out

BEST FEMALE LEAD
Frances McDormand
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST MALE LEADTimothée Chalamet
Call Me By Your Name

Jordan Peele

BEST DIRECTORJordan Peele
Get Out   

BEST DOCUMENTARYFaces PlacesDirectors: Agnés Varda, JR
Producer: Rosalie Varda

BEST SUPPORTING MALESam Rockwell
Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri

BEST SCREENPLAYGreta Gerwig
Lady Bird

Director Dee Rees

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD
Given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast
Mudbound
Director: Dee Rees
Casting Directors: Billy Hopkins, Ashley Ingram
Ensemble Cast: Jonathan Banks, Mary J. Blige, Jason Clarke, 
Garrett Hedlund, Jason Mitchell, Rob Morgan, Carey Mulligan

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Emily V. Gordon, Kumail Nanjiani
The Big Sick 

BEST EDITING

Tatiana S. Riegel
I, Tonya   

BONNIE AWARDChloé Zhao

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILMA Fantastic Woman
Chile
Director: Sebastián Lelio

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD
Life and nothing more Writer/Director: Antonio Méndez Esparza
Producers: Amadeo Hernández Bueno, Alvaro Portanet Hernández, 
Pedro Hernández Santos

BEST FIRST FEATURE
Ingrid Goes West
Director: Matt Spicer
Producers: Jared Ian Goldman, Adam Mirels, Robert Mirels, 
Aubrey Plaza, Tim White, Trevor White

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALEAllison Janney
I, Tonya

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHYSayombhu Mukdeeprom
Call Me By Your Name

KIEHL’S SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARDJustin Chon

PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD
Summer Shelton

SEATTLE STORY AWARDMatty Brown

JEEP BRAND TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD
Jonathan Olshefski

Doris Bergman Hosts 10th Oscar® Style Lounge

By Darlene Donloe

Doris Bergman’s 10^th Anniversary Oscar® Style Lounge and Party, held recently at the popular and trendy Fig & Olive restaurant, is known for kicking off the Oscar® season in high fashion.

Fig & Olive

Doris Bergman

The enviable invitation-only event, hosted by Buywine.com and presented by CURTIS & Co., boasted good food, good drinks, an impressive, high-end gifting suite and a host of Hollywood notables.

Buywine.com's CEO & Founder Alma M. Callan
introduced her new book
A Wine Education Made Easy
Understanding The Grapes and The Wine We Love

Scribble, part of the Chalk brand, a sister company of Curtis & Co.

Viola Davis

Bruce Dern

This year’s packed event proved to be the place to be and the place to be seen.  The soiree brought out the big guns, attracting Academy Award-winner Viola Davis and Academy Award-nominee (Bruce Dern). dignitaries who came out to celebrate and pay homage to the film industry’s Oscar® nominated actors, former Oscar® winners, presenters, stylists and industry VIPs. 

Grammy-winner Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters

Tricia Leigh Fisher, Joely Fisher, and Christopher McDonald

Tristan and Teresa Rogers

Philip Boyd (The Have & Have Nots)

Matt Murray (9JKL) and Christy
of Pampered Pets Playhouse

Jake Busey (The Predator)

Tricia Leigh Fisher, Joely Fisher show off their CHALK watches

Other notables in attendance included multi award-winning Grammy-winner Anita Pointer, Jake Busey (The Predator), Jon Mack (Pandora’s Box), Michael Campion and Juan Pablo Di Pace (Fuller House), Steven Bauer (Ray Donovan), Jake Allen (The Quad), Matt Murray (9JKL), Rex Lee (Young & Hungry), Dot Marie Jones (Glee), Jillian Murray (Code Black) and hubby Dean Geyer (Glee), Joely Fisher, Marilu Henner, Maria Conchita Alonso, Naomi Grossman (American Horror Story), Primetime Emmy-winner Patrika Darbo, Golden Globe nominee Susan Anton, Hollywood Icon Tristan Rogers, comedian Judy Tenuta, Philip Boyd & Renee Lawless (The Haves & Have Nots), Richard Grieco and Victoria Summer (Transformers: Age of Distinction).  

While the attendees hobnobbed, some took out the time to pour accolades on their host, Doris Bergman.

“She’s fantastic and generous,” said Christopher McDonald.  “She’s one of those great movers and shakers. She knows how to throw a party. This is a great venue.”

“I love coming to her events because she’s wonderful, real and authentic,” said Timmy Woods of Timmy Woods Handbags.

“She’s simply amazing,” said Teresa and Christina of Pampered Pets Playhouse Resort & Spa and CJS Homemade Wholesome Pet Treats.

Attendees were feted with an array of fashion for him and her including couture gowns, bespoke tuxedos & suits, the finest in beauty, skin & hair care, stunning jewelry collections, gorgeous accessories, fashion-forward footwear, timeless travel gear, fragrances, lifestyle elegance, gourmet cuisine, premier Napa wines & champagnes and unique spirits.

Twisted Silver Jewelry

My Saint, My Hero

Art Lewin of Art Lewin Bespoke Suits & Tuxedos

HYPO

Timmy Woods Handbags

Spa Girl Vodka 

Nail & Bone

Sue Wong of Sue Wong Couture Gowns & Fragrance

Life Coach William Constantine

Beauty Kitchen by Heather Marianna

Handmade Hearts By Hillel

Nail & Bone

CJS Homemade Wholesome Pet Treats, CJS Pet Staycation

Hemp Lifestyle Network

Team Powers Real Estate

Gifts and services were provided by Buywine.com, CURTIS & Co. Timepieces, Precious Vodka, Beauty Kitchen, Pampered Pets Playhouse Resort & Spa, CJS Homemade Wholesome Pet Treats, CJS Pet Staycation, Life Coach William Constantine, Author Debbi DiMaggio/Lights, Camera, Action, Team Powers Real Estate, Hemp Lifestyle Network, LLC, Hypo Footwear & Accessories, Impromptu Life, LLC, Montrose Regenerative Cosmetics & Laser Center Olympia International, Inc., Nail & Bone, Timmy Woods Handbags, Twisted Silver Jewelry, My Saint, My Hero Bracelets, Sue Wong Couture Gowns & Fragrance, Handmade Hearts By Hillel, Hint Water, Art Lewin Bespoke Suits & Tuxedos, Spa Girl Vodka, Rock Your Hair, Sunless Beauty, Balance Organic Body Butter, Author Alexis Hunter/Joi Lansing – A Body To Die For, Black Horn Imports, The Hollywood Trinity, EinDrink. VIP gift bags were provided by Buywine.com.

Kelvin, Bruce Dern, and Fox 11 News Anchor Christine Devine

Foxx 11 News Anchor Christine Devine

In the spirit of giving back, guests and sponsors donated unwrapped gifts for young adults (ages 13-18) for a post-holiday gift drive benefiting Wednesday’s Child, a weekly segment airing on KTTV FOX 11 News in Los Angeles, with Anchor Christine Devine. Wednesday’s Child highlights ‘harder to place’ children in the LA County foster care system who are in need of adoptive families. 

“In Los Angeles County, alone, there are over 40,000 children receiving child welfare services,” said social worker, Dr. William Wong.  

Bergman invited Kelvin, a foster child, to join in on the festivities and experience what it feels like to be treated as a VIP.  http://www.foxla.com/wednesdays-child

Keyboardist Garfield Plays Jazz Outside The Box

Keyboardist David Garfield was nineteen when he got his start playing alongside influential bebop jazz trumpeter Freddie Hubbard. But opportunities came quickly for him in contemporary jazz as well as in R&B and pop, which guided the direction of his now five-decade career away from his roots. Straight-ahead jazz has remained in his core and he’s longed to return “home” thus to launch his prolific multi-volume, multi-genre “Outside the Box” collection, Garfield will drop his first straight-ahead jazz album, “Jazz Outside the Box,” on March 23 via his Creatchy Records label.   

In addition to playing piano, Fender Rhodes and synthesizers, Garfield produced and arranged the 15-track jazz set that revisits Duke Ellington, Horace Silver, Joe Sample, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Oliver Nelson and Joe Zawinul classics, applies an imaginative jazz varnish to a pair of Sting songs, and presents four of his own compositions. To materialize his vision, Garfield rounded up a massive ensemble that boasts several accomplished musicians he’s never worked with before but have long been on his wish list of collaborators such as trumpeter Wallace Roney, percussionist Poncho Sanchez, and drummer Steve Jordan. Randy Brecker, Michael McDonald, Tom Scott, Eric Marienthal, Pete Christlieb, Bennie Maupin, Brian Auger, Will Lee, Airto Moreira along with dozens of other prominent players guest on the record, which includes Charlie Bisharat’s String Quartet and an orchestra conducted by John Clayton. “Jazz Outside the Box” contains among the final performances by a pair of recently-departed guitar greats, Chuck Loeb and Larry Coryell. Perhaps the most unusual contribution comes from The Doors’ John Densmore, who plays drums and orates on a spoken word segment on the full-length version of Silver’s “Song For My Father.”

    

“I recruited a unique grouping of players to render each song. It was like casting for a movie. For example, ‘Song For My Father’ is rich with meaning, history and personal connections, which is a major component and an underlying purpose behind the entire ‘Outside the Box’ project. On that tune, I pay tribute to its author, Horace Silver, who was my mentor and like an adopted father to me. It also pays homage to The Doors and Steely Dan. A lot of people don’t know that Horace originally wrote lyrics to the song, so I had John (Densmore) speak Horace’s words. Another cool thing is that Steely Dan borrowed the opening bass riff from ‘Song for My Father’ for ‘Rikki Don’t Lose That Number’ so I often quoted ‘Rikki’ whenever I played ‘Song for My Father’ at my gigs. I included that quote at the beginning of this recording, which features guitarist Denny Dias, a founding member of Steely Dan who played on the original ‘Rikki.’ There’s also a part of the track where I have (former Chicago lead singer) Jason Scheff sing ‘If you have a change of heart’ as another nod to ‘Rikki,’” said Garfield.  

One of Garfield’s originals is “East Lou Brew,” another salute steeped in personal history. The song honors Miles Davis and their shared hometown, St. Louis. Davis’s nephew, Vince Wilburn, mans the drum kit, Davis protégé Roney shines on trumpet, Maupin plays sax and bass clarinet, Coryell is on guitar, Darryl Jones handles bass and Moreira adds percussion. Wilburn, Jones, Maupin and Moreira were in Davis’s band with the latter two having played on Davis’s landmark album, “Bitches Brew.”

“‘East Lou Brew’ is an adventurous tune loosely based on themes from some of Miles’ best-known works. It was incredible to play with all these greats who knew Miles and toured and recorded with him. They all shared a ton of stories, which helped ground the tune in both past and present. I consider Miles one of my strongest and primary musical influences and I always wanted to play with him. This is the next best thing.”   

Another giant who was one of Garfield’s mentors was Sample. “I got to write, tour and record with Joe, and recorded his song, ‘Rainbow Seeker,’ to honor his recent passing. I was devastated when we lost him and wanted to find the perfect way to honor him on this project. Joe was not only one of my favorite all-time keyboard players, but he was a huge influence on my musical development as a pianist and keyboardist.”     

As “Jazz Outside the Box” prepares to ship to jazz radio stations, Garfield’s single, “Jamming,” continues to climb the smooth jazz charts. On the heels of his Billboard No. 2 hit, “Go Home,” both singles will appear on “Jamming Outside the Box,” the second album in the series with this one approaching jazz from a contemporary/smooth perspective. The disc will be released this summer. Also, presently moving up the country charts is “I Lied,” a vocal ballad Garfield penned with legend Smokey Robinson, which will be released on “Vox Outside the Box.”  

For more information, please visit www.DavidGarfield.com.

Marvel Universe Unites For Children's Charities

 

Stars of Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War team up for epic charity event
counting down to the launch of movie-related products on March 3
Hasbro and Funko to support by donating millions in cash and toys

The Walt Disney Company today announced Marvel: The Universe Unites, an epic charity campaign combining the superpowers of the cast of Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War to help support children’s charities. The week-long event will see stars of the movie team up for a series of heroic acts and social media challenges to provide funds and raise awareness for charities that support children and families impacted by serious illness. The initiative will culminate the weekend of March 3 when shopDisney.com and Disney stores in the U.S. will donate 10% of sales of all Marvel products made between March 3-4, 2018 (up to $50,000) to Make-A-Wish® to help grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

“This movie has one of the greatest ensemble casts of all time, and we are challenging them to use their collective might to benefit children’s charities,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. “We’re kicking off by inviting some of the world’s biggest stars to get creative on social media to support Starlight Children’s Foundation, a charity that works to bring joy and comfort to hospitalized children and their families.”

As part of Marvel Studios: Hero Acts, a charitable initiative launched in 2016, some members of the cast of Avengers: Infinity War will receive a special toy care package filled with new products celebrating their Marvel character to be donated to children’s hospitals.

Their mission? To take a creative picture or video to reveal the new toys to fans and post it to their Facebook, Instagram or Twitter channels using #HeroActs. When their collective posts hit a million likes, they will unlock a $250,000 US donation to Starlight Children’s Foundation® from Marvel.

“Being a Marvel Super Hero gives us a powerful platform to directly influence positive change. Giving back to kids is the most impactful role you can play,” comments Marvel Studios’ Black Panther star, Chadwick Boseman. “Marvel: The Universe Unites and #HeroActs is just a fun way to support a noble cause while entertaining kids and fans around the globe.”

Marvel partners are also supporting the cause with their own #HeroActs in support of children’s charities. As part of the week’s events, Hasbro will donate $1 million US worth of cash and products to Give Kids The World, an organization that fulfills the wishes of children with critical illnesses and their families by providing them with an unforgettable trip which includes a visit to their village in Central Florida and access to Walt Disney World Resort.

Funko, known for their pop culture collectibles, will make a $1 million US toy donation to Starlight as part of the Marvel: The Universe Unites campaign.

“From our fantastic cast to our toy and retail partners, it’s great to see the Marvel Cinematic Universe come together in this way to support children’s charities,” comments Kevin Feige, President, Marvel Studios. “The launch of the products for Avengers: Infinity War is a fun way for fans to celebrate the countdown to the movie, and this initiative underscores that moment in a really special way.”

Starting March 3, new Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War products will be included in the Marvel: The Universe Unites Amazon Wish List, enabling consumers to send toys directly to Starlight.

Rounding out the week, on Saturday, March 3, and Sunday, March 4, shopDisney.com and Disney store will donate 10% of weekend Marvel product sales to Make-A-Wish® (up to $50,000 US) in support of Marvel: The Universe Unites.

# # #

About Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War

An unprecedented cinematic journey ten years in the making and spanning the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” brings to the screen the ultimate, deadliest showdown of all time. The Avengers and their Super Hero allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe. 

Anthony and Joe Russo direct the film, which is produced by Kevin Feige. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo and Stan Lee are the executive producers. Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely wrote the screenplay. “Avengers: Infinity War” releases in U.S. theaters on May 4, 2018.

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.

For more information visit marvel.com.

© 2018 MARVEL

About Make-A-Wish®

Make-A-Wish® creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We seek to bring every eligible child's wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illness. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization, serving children in every community in the United States and in more than 50 countries worldwide. Together, generous donors, supporters, staff and more than 35,000 volunteers across the U.S., grant a wish every 34 minutes, on average, somewhere in the country. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 300,000 wishes to children in the U.S. and its territories; more than 15,400 in 2017 alone. For more information about Make-A-Wish America, visit wish.org.

About Give Kids The World

Since 1986, Give Kids The World Village has welcomed more than 159,000 families to its 84-acre “storybook” resort in Central Florida. Children with critical illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free vacations, complete with accommodations, donated attraction tickets, meals and more.  For more about Give Kids The World, visit gktw.org.

About Starlight Children’s Foundation

Starlight creates moments of joy and comfort for hospitalized kids and their families. For 35 years, Starlight’s programs have positively impacted more than 60 million critically, chronically and terminally ill or injured children in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. With your help, more kids and their families will enjoy Starlight Gowns, Starlight Fun Centers and other Starlight programs at a children’s hospital or facility near you. Learn more and support Starlight’s work by visitingwww.starlight.org.

About Hasbro

Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company committed to Creating the World's Best Play Experiences. From toys and games to television, movies, digital gaming and consumer products, Hasbro offers a variety of ways for audiences to experience its iconic brands, including NERF, MY LITTLE PONY, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH, MONOPOLY, BABY ALIVE, and MAGIC: THE GATHERING, as well as premier partner brands. Through its entertainment labels, Allspark Pictures and Allspark Animation, the Company is building its brands globally through great storytelling and content on all screens. Hasbro is committed to making the world a better place for children and their families through corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. Hasbro ranked No. 1 on the 2017 100 Best Corporate Citizens list by CR Magazine and has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere Institute for the past seven years. Learn more at www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro & @HasbroNews) and Instagram (@Hasbro).

About Funko, Inc.

Headquartered in Everett, Washington, Funko is a leading pop culture consumer products company. Funko designs, sources and distributes licensed pop culture products across multiple categories, including vinyl figures, action toys, plush, apparel, housewares and accessories for consumers who seek tangible ways to connect with their favorite pop culture brands and characters. Learn more at HTTPS://FUNKO.COM/, and follow us on Twitter (@OriginalFunko) and Instagram (@OriginalFunko).