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The Sundance Institute announced the Jury, NEXT, and other awards of the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. An archived video of the ceremony in its entirely is available at www.sundance.org/live.

The nominations for the 84^th annual Academy Awards have been announced, with “Hugo,” directed by Martin Scorsese, grabbing 11 nods and the silent film “The Artist” garnering 10 to lead the way.

Sundance Institute has announced that 13 films supported by the institute will be making their digital premieres—to rent, download, and stream—on various platforms, including iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu, SundanceNOW, and YouTube. They will be available through Netflix on March 1. Go to www.sundance.org/nowplaying or check out the Sundance Institute’s social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, and Kickstarter.

The 18^th Annual Slamdance Film Festival opens on January 20^th with a burst of talent in the Narrative and Documentary Feature competition. The Feature Competition Programs present highly anticipated, breakthrough films by first-time feature film directors from around the world. Slamdance will showcase 18 feature-length competition films – 10 narrative films and 8 documentary films, including 13 world premieres.

While there seemed to be no movie which dominated this year’s Golden Globes, two of the biggest prizes went to Alexander Payne’s “The Descendants.” The film won Best Picture in the Drama category and Best Actor for George Clooney.

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival completion films is a myriad of unknown emerging talent. For indie filmmakers and film enthusiasts, Sundance has always been a destination to explore new talents and maybe jump start careers. Under the leadership of John Cooper, Sundance is back to its roots of promoting truly independent film.

The “Queen of the Indies,” actress/writer Parker Posey, will host the Awards Ceremony January 28 at the Sundance Film Festival, the festival that virtually invented the independent film industry, according to an announcement by the Sundance Institute which also announced the 22 jury members for the festival. In addition to her hosting duties, Posey has a role in "Price Check," screening in the out-of competition Premieres Section of the festival. She has appeared in over a dozen films at Sundance over the years, including "Party Girl" (1995), "House of Yes" (1997) and "Broken English" (2007). The ceremony will be held in Park City, Utah’s Basin Recreation Field House at 7:00 pm MT and live-streamed www.sundance.org/festival.

DGA President Taylor Hackford announced the five nominees for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for 2011.

It has been announced that four films have been added to the program at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, which runs January 19 through January 29. Being a late addition to the festival may bode well for this year’s list of late entries, which are “Predisposed,” “Oslo, August 31st” “This Must be the Place,” and “John Dies at the End.” Late entries in recent years have included Lisa Cholodenko’s “The Kids are All Right” and Miranda July’s “The Future.”

The nominations are out for the 69^th annual Golden Globe Awards, and Michel Hazanavicius’ “The Artist” leads the way with six nods. “The Artist” is the astonishingly rendered homage to the silent film era starring Jean Dujardin. Hazanavicius was able to transport audiences back almost 90 years with his innovative filmmaking techniques, while creating a compelling story that spoke to 21^st century audiences.

Focus Features has announced release dates for the first half of 2012: "Being Flynn," "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World," and "Moonrise Kingdom" are set for release.

Awards season has officially kicked off with the announcement by The American Film Institute (AFI) of its official selections for the AFI Awards 2011. The AFI Awards are noted as a different kind of awards ceremony in the television and film industry—less bombastic, and giving more of a nod towards the collaborative effort of filmmaking by naming Movies of the Year and a TV Programs of the year, as well as two special awards.

Film Independent has announced nominations for the 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards.  Nominees for Best Feature include “50/50,” “Beginners,” “ Drive,” “Take Shelter,” “The Artist” and “The Descendants.”

Press Release - Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, has selected 30 filmmakers for its Project Involve. Project Involve is the signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry. Producer Stephanie Allain (Hustle & Flow), director Dee Rees (Pariah), producer Nekisa Cooper (Pariah) will serve as guest speakers and Los Angeles Film Festival Artistic Director David Ansen and Zhiv Productions Joyce San Pedro will be mentors for the 2012 Project Involve class, with additional guest speakers and mentors to be announced.

"Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel is a tantalizing and star-studded tribute to Roger Corman, Hollywood’s most prolific writer-director producer, and seminal influencing force in modern moviemaking over the last 60 years.

As the 2011 edition of AFI Fest presented by Audi comes to a close, the feature length and short films that have received the Audience and Jury Awards have been announced. The films had encore screenings at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, California.

The Sundance Institute has announced its New Frontier participants, defined  as “a social and creative space designed to enrich the festival environment and expand cinema culture by showcasing media installation, multimedia performances, transmedia experiences and panel discussions that explore the convergence of art, technology and storytelling.” The program is now in its sixth year but has moved locations to The Yard (1251 Kearns Blvd.) in Park City, Utah.

Tribeca Films has announced it has obtained the North American rights for the independent film “Death of A Super Hero.” Tribeca's Nick Savva and Bavaria Film International's Steffie Zietler worked the deal on behalf of filmmaker Ian Fitzgibbon.

The American Film Institute announced that Paramount Pictures and Columbia Pictures’ “The Adventures of Tintin,” directed by Steven Spielberg, will have its North American Premiere as the closing night gala of AFI FEST 2011 presented by Audi.

Eleven Filmmakers & nine projects were selected for Film Independent’s 2011 Producer’s Lab, with Brent Hoff & Malcolm Pullinger to be awarded the $25,000 Sloan Producer’s Grant.  You can view the full press release and list of filmmakers and projects below.

“The Descendants” and “Martha Marcy May Marlene” receive three nominations each for the 21^st annual Gotham Independent Film awards, to be held November 28^th. Other notable films are “Beginners” and “Take Shelter,” with two nominations each.

The 25^th edition of AFI Fest presented by Audi, which opens November 3 and runs until November 10, has announced the films and programs that will be featured in its Centerpiece Galas, as well 11 Special Screenings. The festival, considered by many to be a kickoff for awards season, highlights the work of both emerging talents and established icons.

AFI Fest 2011 presented by Audi has announced the films that have been selected for the upcoming festival’s Young Americans, New Auteurs, and Spotlight programs. This year marks the 25^th edition of the festival, which begins November 3 and runs until November 10.

Paramount Pictures announced they will provide digital streaming during awards season, starting with “Rango,” “Super 8,” and “Like Crazy.” Their partnership with Deluxe Entertainment Services Group is part of a growing trend to offer digital streaming versus theatrical distribution.

The BFI London Film Festival, which opens October 12, has announced some additions to their lineup. The 55th edition of the festival, which runs until October 27, will open with Fernando Meirelles' “360” and close with Terence Davies' “The Deep Blue Sea.”