Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the LA Film Festival and the Spirit Awards, announced that the 2017 Festival’s opening night film will be the world premiere of Colin Trevorrow’s The Book of Henry written by Gregg Hurwitz and starring Naomi Watts, Jaeden Lieberher, Jacob Tremblay, Sarah Silverman, Lee Pace, Maddie Ziegler and Dean Norris. A Focus Features presentation of a Sidney Kimmel Entertainment/Double Nickel Entertainment production, The Book of Henry tells the story of a single mother whose genius son’s plan to help a classmate with a dangerous secret takes shape in thrilling ways. Focus Features will release The Book of Henry on June 16.
“We are so happy to be opening the Festival with The Book of Henry, it’s a touching story about friendship, community and redefining family,” said Festival director Jennifer Cochis. “The Book of Henry embodies our mission via onscreen representation in highlighting a woman’s journey with a powerful turn by Naomi Watts.”
“I’m honored to premiere The Book of Henry at the LA Film Festival,” said director Trevorrow. “Film Independent plays such a vital role in supporting new storytellers, and I’m thrilled to be a part of this year’s exciting program.”
The Festival will also feature the gala screening of Brigsby Bear on June 16 at 7:30 pm at ArcLight Hollywood. Brigsby Bear is directed by Dave McCary, written by Kevin Costello, Kyle Mooney and stars Mark Hamill, Claire Danes, Kyle Mooney, Greg Kinnear, Andy Samberg and Michaela Watkins. Brigsby Bear Adventures is a children’s TV show produced for an audience of one: James. When the show abruptly ends, James’s life changes forever, and he sets out to finish the story himself. Sony Pictures Classics will release Brigsby Bear in theatres on July 28.
On the eve of the launch of Season 2 Queen Sugar, the Festival will host a premiere of the first episode of Season 2 and hold a conversation with Ava DuVernay and the female directors of Queen Sugar, on June 19 at 7:30 pm at LACMA.
The LA Film Festival takes place June 14 – June 22, 2017 headquartered at ArcLight Cinemas Culver City, with additional screenings at ArcLight Hollywood and ArcLight Santa Monica and more. Festival passes are on sale here. The full lineup for the 2017 LA Film Festival will be announced on Tuesday, May 9.
Musk clashes with OpenAI CEO Altman over Trump-supported Stargate AI data center project
Elon Musk is clashing with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman over the Stargate artificial intelligence infrastructure project touted by President Donald Trump, the latest in a feud between the two tech billionaires that started on OpenAI's board and is now testing Musk's influence with the new president. Trump on Tuesday had talked up a joint venture investing up to $500 billion through a new partnership formed by OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, alongside Oracle and SoftBank. The new entity, Stargate, is already starting to build out data centers and the electricity generation needed for the further development of fast-evolving AI technology. Trump declared it "a resounding declaration of confidence in America's potential" under his new administration, with an initial private investment of $100 billion that could reach five times that sum. But Musk, a close Trump adviser who helped bankroll his campaign and now leads a government cost-cutting initiative, questioned the value of the investment hours later. "They don't actually have the money," Musk wrote on his social platform X. "SoftBank has well under $10B secured. I have that on good authority." Altman responded Wednesday to say Musk was "wrong, as you surely know" and inviting Musk to come visit the first site in Texas that is already under construction. "(T)his is great for the country. i realize what is great for the country isn't always what's optimal for your companies, but in your new role i hope you'll mostly put (America) first," Altman wrote, using a U.S. flag emoji to represent America. Behind the feud The public clash over Stargate is part of a years-long dispute between Musk and Altman that began with a boardroom rivalry over who should run OpenAI, which both men helped... Read More