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In The PressParticipant President Staying ActiveBy Anne Thompson | Variety September 14, 2007Ricky Strauss stands at the top of the escalator at Toronto’s Varsity Cinemas, surrounded by a circle of well-wishers. Tall and charismatic, he’s not a movie star. But as president of production at Jeff Skoll’s socially activist Participant Prods., he is a star of sorts in the Hollywood community. Indeed, social-minded filmmakers of all stripes dream of Strauss sending some financial love their way. And distributors and producers nervous about selling divisive political content are seeking Participant’s support as a partner. These days, however, Participant isn’t just about message movies. It wants message movies that attract broader audiences. Read more Overture Films buys McCarthy's 'Visitor'By Gregg Goldstein | The Hollywood Reporter September 11, 2007In one of the most drawn-out and anticipated sales of the Toronto International Film Festival, new indie distributor Overture Films picked up all North American rights to writer-director Thomas McCarthy's "The Visitor" early Tuesday morning for more than $1 million plus boxoffice bonuses for the filmmakers. Read more New York Magazine Review 'Angels in the Dust'By staff | New York Magazine Sept. 07, 2007... Hogarth’s touch is nearly undetectable, but it’s nothing short of wondrous to watch these scarred, abused children transform into sprightly, self-aware cherubs under Cloete’s unwavering care. (Critic's Pick) Read more Stars boost edgy documentaries at Toronto festBy Etan Vlessing, Hollywood ReporterJuly 31, 2007 Don Cheadle, Woody Allen, Liam Neeson and Michael Douglas will lend star wattage to some politically charged documentaries at the Toronto International Film Festival (September 6-15), organizers said Tuesday. Unveiling its Real to Reel documentary program, comprised entirely of world premieres, Toronto said it has booked Ted Braun's "Darfur Now," a film in which Cheadle and five others issue a call to action to help stop the genocide in the war-torn region of Sudan. Read more Participant to make Live Earth docBy Gregg Kilday | Hollywood Reporter July 3, 2007Having backed the Oscar-winning "An Inconvenient Truth," progressive-minded Participant Prods. said Monday that it is embarking on a new, environmentally friendly documentary inspired by Saturday's Live Earth concerts. Read more Participant Taps Murphys as CFO, Hollywood ReporterParticipant Prods. has appointed former ICM exec Robert Murphy as CFO and executive vp. Murphy will take over responsibilities that had been handled by the outfit's founding CFO and executive vp business affairs Jeff Ivers, who company execs say will remain at the company with expanded duties. Read more Participant, Broken Lizard Team on 'Taildraggers'Participant Prods. is teaming with some strange bedfellows -- Broken Lizard comedy producers Jay Chandrasekhar and Julia Dray -- to develop the broad comedy "Taildraggers." The feature, set to be scripted by Will Gluck, will follow a group of young pilots for a small Alaskan airline who face a bitter rivalry with a local taxi company. The wild plot line ventures into Participant's socially conscious territory when the pilots uncover a plan to dig oil from the Alaskan nature preserve. Read more Bonnie Abaunza Issues the Call to an Active LifeBy Tina Daunt, Los Angeles TimesIf there's one thing activist Hollywood increasingly understands, it's the potential for turning a message-driven film into a political movement. And perhaps no one understands that better than Bonnie Abaunza, the founder of Artists for Amnesty. Read more Roadside Picks up 'Chicago 10'By ADDIE MORFOOT "Chicago 10," the 2007 Sundance opener directed by Brett Morgen ("The Kid Stays in the Picture"), has been acquired by indie distributor Roadside Attractions.Docu centers on antiwar protests at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago and the subsequent trial of members of the revolutionary Yippie movement. Pic captures the theatrics of the infamous trial via archival footage and animation voiced by thesps such as Hank Azaria and Mark Ruffalo. Read more at Variey.com Jonathan King joins ParticipantBy Pamela McClintock, Daily VarietyJonathan King has ankled Focus Features for Participant Prods., where he'll be exec VP of production, just as he was at U's specialty arm. He'll report directly to Participant prexy of production Ricky Strauss. Read more at Variety.com "An Inconvenient Truth" wins 2 Oscars(Los Angeles-WABC, February 25, 2007) - Who says politics is show business for ugly people? "An Inconvenient Truth," Al Gore's film on the perils of global warming, won the Oscar for best documentary feature and original song Sunday night. Read more at ABC Online...Participant taps digital czarSexton named exec VP of digitalBy Dave McNary, Daily Variety Adrian Sexton has joined Participant Prods. as exec VP in charge of digital to oversee the banner's expansion into global media, the production of new programs and digital distribution. "Adrian has the consummate background to develop a global media platform for us, integrating social action media, causes and community," said Participant prexy Ricky Strauss. "His expertise will allow us to maximize the impact of our films by helping to connect our movies with an expanded audience before and after seeing our movies." Read more at Variety.com
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