BY SACNILK

Mumbai, September 20 - India has picked Gujarati-language coming-of-age drama film Chhello Show (Last Film Show) as India's official entry to the Best International Feature Film category at the 95th Academy Awards. ## Directed by Pan Nalin, the movie follows a nine-years-old Samay from Chalala, a village in Saurashtra in the Gujarat state of India, who entered a cinema hall projection booth by bribing Fazal, a cinema projector technician, and watched several films through summer. He became engrossed with cinema for life. ## The movie received massive critical acclaim. Indiewire's David Ehrlich called the movie a "coming-of-age story" with "an ethereal take on the magic of movies". Prahlad Srihari of Firstpost called the film "an ode to movie-going, as movie-making" while Tanzeem Pardiwalla of Mashable India rated it 5 out of 5. She praised the direction, cinematography, theme, story, and performances.## "Chhello Show" won the Golden Spike for Best Film at the 66th Valladolid Film Festival (Seminci) held in October 2021. It was nominated for the Tiantan Awards at the 11th Beijing International Film Festival. It premiered in the Spotlight section of the 20th Tribeca Film Festival on 10 June 2021 and became the first Gujarati film selected for the festival section. ## Meanwhile, the two films that were being speculated to be India's entry for the category were "The Kashmir Files" and "RRR", with the latter gaining the most traction in the West. Both the movies, especially "RRR", however, are still capable of earning nominations in other Oscar categories. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Los Angeles, August 20 - Hollywood superstar, Will Smith's biopic, which was put on the back burner following his Oscar controversy, is reportedly back in development at Netflix.## Will Smith's biopic was announced by Netflix, but the streamer halted talks over a film of the actor's life in the wake of his Oscars scandal where Smith infamously slapped comedian Chris Rock at this year's Oscars for comparing his 50-year-old wife Jada Pinkett Smith's shaven head to GI Jane's buzzcut. But things seem to be taking a shift at Netflix now regarding the biopic. ## A source told The Sun (via outlook India), "Will was left out in the cold by Netflix and Apple+ in the wake of the slap. He has since apologized and stepped out of the spotlight for a lengthy period. With this in mind, it is broadly agreed enough time has passed to let the dust settle. It has been made clear discussions can be started again about a biopic that Netflix was interested in".## "Arguably, the slap, and the fallout, are pivotal moments in Will's life and will become part of the storyline of his life. Netflix wants to be part of those conversations and Will's team has no doubt Apple will follow suit", says the report. ## The "Men In Black", won his maiden Oscar for the biographical sports drama film "King Richard". He played the role of Richard Williams, the father, and coach of famed tennis players Venus and Serena Williams. Smith will next be seen in the action thriller "Emancipation", scheduled to release in 2023. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Hyderabad, August 14 - SS Rajamouli-directed magnum Opus RRR created a tsunami at the worldwide box office upon its release on March 25 this year. The movie has been received very well all over the world.## After creating havoc at the box office, the movie was streamed on Netflix which gave it an even broader reach and appreciation. Audiences from all parts of the world have praised this movie, especially, the USA audiences are going gaga over it.## RRR is being seen as a possible Oscars 2023 contender as many Hollywood personalities believe that India should not miss this chance. Now, the popular Hollywood website, Variety has predicted that "RRR" has an outside chance in the next year's Oscars. ## The website has predicted that the movie is a possible contender to be nominated in 4 categories including Best Picture, Best Actor (JR NTR), Best Director (SS Rajamouli ), and Best original screenplay. ## There have been calls for Oscars for RRR from other Hollywood celebrities which have helped Oscars 2023 buzz to gain momentum for the movie. It will truly be a historical moment for Indian cinema if "RRR" gets nominations in any of the cateogry. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, June 29 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to 397 distinguished artists and executives to join the organization in 2022. Membership selection is based on professional qualifications, with an ongoing commitment to representation, inclusion, and equity. This year's class of invitees includes 71 Oscar nominees, including 15 winners.## The selection of this year's invitees includes Indian stars Suriya and Kajol. Suriya has already made India proud on the international front by backing and starring in the critically acclaimed "Jai Bhim". The revolutionary movie also became the first Indian film to feature in the Oscars YouTube library. ## Suriya has been one of the most celebrated Indian actors internationally over the last couple of years, thanks to the movies like "Jai Bhim", and "Soorarai Pottru". And now, he has become the first Tamil actor to get invited to become a member of the Academy Class 2022 which consists of actors, directors, writers, editors, costume designers, and executives from different parts of the world.## Apart from Suriya, Bollywood actress Kajol has also been invited by the Academy. Kajol has impressed the world with her superlative acts in the movies like "My Name Is Khan", "Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham", and evergreen "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge", among many others. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Los Angeles March 27 - The 2022 Academy Awards ceremony began Sunday, March 27 at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood on ABC. ## Tonight's ceremony nominated some of the biggest movie stars in the world, from Denzel Washington and Nicole Kidman to Will Smith and Penelope Cruz (Washington, Kidman and Cruz are all past winners). ## CODA won the coveted award ahead of films including Don’t Look Up and The Power of The Dog. Meanwhile, Will Smith won his first Oscar, Dune cleaned up with six awards, and Jane Campion became the third woman ever to win Best Director. ## In one of the most shocking moments in recent awards show history, Will Smith stepped onto the Oscars stage and hit comedian and presenter Chris Rock after Rock joked about Jada Pinkett Smith. The full clip can be seen right below the list. ## Oscars Nominations 2022 Complete List ## Best Picture ## Belfast## Winner: CODA ## Don’t Look Up## Drive My Car## Dune## King Richard## Licorice Pizza## Nightmare Alley## The Power of the Dog## West Side Story## Best Director ## Kenneth Branagh (Belfast)## Ryusuke Hamaguchi (Drive My Car)## Paul Thomas Anderson (Licorice Pizza)## Winner: Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog) ## Steven Spielberg (West Side Story)## Best Actor ## Javier Bardem (Being the Ricardos)## Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog)## Andrew Garfield (tick, tick…BOOM!)## Winner: Will Smith (King Richard) ## Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth)## Best Actress ## Winner: Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye) ## Olivia Colman (The Lost Daughter)## Penélope Cruz (Parallel Mothers)## Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos)## Kristen Stewart (Spencer)## Best Supporting Actor ## Ciarán Hinds (Belfast)## Winner: Troy Kotsur (CODA) ## Jesse Plemons (The Power of the Dog)## JK Simmons (Being the Ricardos)## Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of the Dog)## Best Supporting Actress ## Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter)## Winner: Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) ## Judi Dench (Belfast)## Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog)## Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard) ## Best Animated Feature ## Winner: Encanto ## Flee ## Luca## The Mitchells vs. the Machines## Raya and the Last Dragon## Best Adapted Screenplay ## Winner: CODA (Sian Heder) ## Drive My Car (Ryusuke Hamaguchi & Takamasa Oe)## Dune (Eric Roth, Jon Spaihts & Denis Villeneuve)## The Lost Daughter (Maggie Gyllenhaal)## The Power of the Dog (Jane Campion)## Best Original Screenplay ## Winner: Belfast (Kenneth Branagh)## Don’t Look Up (Adam McKay & David Sirota)## Licorice Pizza (Paul Thomas Anderson)## King Richard (Zach Baylin)## The Worst Person in the World (Eskil Vogt & Joachim Trier)## Best Original Song ## “Be Alive” (King Richard)## “Dos Oruguitas” (Encanto)## “Down to Joy” (Belfast)## Winner: “No Time To Die” (No Time To Die) ## “Somehow You Do” (Four Good Days)## Best Original Score ## Don’t Look Up## Winner: Dune ## Encanto## Parallel Mothers## The Power of the Dog## Best Animated Short ## Affairs of the Art## Bestia## Boxballet## Robin Robin## Winner: The Windshield Wiper ## Best Live Action Short ## Ala Kachuu- Take and Run## The Dress## Winner: The Long Goodbye ## On My Mind## Please Hold## Best Cinematography ## Winner: Dune ## Nightmare Alley## The Power of the Dog## The Tragedy of Macbeth## West Side Story## Best Costume Design ## Winner: Cruella ## Cyrano## Dune## Nightmare Alley## West Side Story## Best Documentary Feature ## Ascension## Attica## Flee## Winner: Summer of Soul ## Writing with Fire## Best Documentary Short Subject ## Audible## Lead Me Home## Winner: The Queen of Basketball ## Three Songs for Benazir## When We Were Bullies## Best Editing ## Don’t Look Up## Winner: Dune ## King Richard## The Power of the Dog## tick, tick…BOOM!## Best International Feature Film ## Winner: Drive My Car ## Flee## The Hand of God## Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom## The Worst Person in the World## Best Makeup and Hairstyling ## Coming 2 America## Cruella## Dune## Winner: The Eyes of Tammy Faye ## House of Gucci## Best Production Design ## Winner: Dune ## Nightmare Alley## The Power of the Dog## The Tragedy of Macbeth## West Side Story## Best Sound ## Belfast## Winner: Dune ## No Time to Die## The Power of the Dog## West Side Story## Best Visual Effects ## Winner: Dune ## Free Guy## No Time to Die## Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings## Spider-Man: No Way Home## ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk For More Such Updates

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, February 13 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the nominees for the 94th Academy Awards on Tuesday (Feb. 8). Benedict Cumberbatch-starrer "The Power of the Dog" led the show with 12 nominations, including the Best Picture. ## This year, the Best Picture category includes 10 films - "The Power of the Dog", "CODA", "Belfast ", "Dune", "King Richard", "West Side Story", "Don't Look Up", "Drive My Car", "Licorice Pizza", and Nightmare Alley. Among these films, "Dune" is one of the highest-rated movies of 2021 while "Don't Look Up" is on the other side, though it has been hailed for its subject. ## It remains to see which film begs Oscars for the Best Picture, but analysts are predicting that it could be between "Dune", and "Power of The Dog", two of the top-rated movies. On IMDb, "Dune's" rating is 8.1 while "Power of The Dog" is rated with 6.9 ratings. ## Meanwhile, IMDb has released the list of top 10 highest-rated Best Picture Oscars winning movies of all time. "The Godfather" (1972), based on Puzo's best-selling 1969 novel of the same name, lends at the number position with IMDb ratings of 9.2. At the 45th Academy Awards, the film won Best Picture, Best Actor (Marlon Brando), and Best Adapted Screenplay, in addition to 7 other nominations. ## The sequel to "Godfather", released in 1974, is IMDb's 2nd highest-rated movie that won the Best Picture Oscar. The film was nominated for eleven Academy Awards at the 47th Academy Awards and went on to win 6 of them. "The Godfather Part II" also became the first sequel to win the Best Picture Oscar. ## Tom Hanks' comedy-drama "Forrest Gump", which is also being remade in Hindi as "Lal Singh Chadha", starring superstar Aamir Khan, had won the 6 Oscars including Best Picture at the 67th Academy Awards. In the IMDb's list of the Best Picture winners, "Forest Gump" lands at number 5. "Gladiator" ranks number 10 in the list. It won Best Picture among the 5 Oscars at the 73rd Academy Awards. ## Check out the complete list of Highest-Rated Best Picture Oscar winners on IMDb - ## 1. The Godfather (1972) - 9.2 ## 2. The Godfather: Part II (1974) - 9.0## 3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) - 8.9## 4. Schindler's List (1993) - 8.9## 5. Forrest Gump (1994) - 8.8## 6. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) - 8.7## 7. Parasite (2019) - 8.6## 8. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - 8.6## 9. The Departed (2006) - 8.5## 10. Gladiator (2000) - 8.5## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Chennai, Jan 18 (IANS) The official YouTube channel of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has chosen to feature a video of director Gnanavel explaining his critically acclaimed courtroom drama 'Jai Bhim', under its 'Scene At the Academy' segment.## The 12 minutes 47-second video clip begins with the opening scenes of the film. It then shows director Gnanavel explaining the theme of the film. This is followed by important sequences from the film.## In the video, director Gnanavel says, "The opening scene of the film shows the police segregating tribal people on the basis of caste. You could call it the film's theme. How easily a powerful system can brand the oppressed as habitual offenders on the basis of caste.## "When a privileged person is in trouble, their whole community shows up to fight. But for minorities like tribal people? They have no hope or scope.## "It is said that racism is the worst kind of discrimination worldwide. But casteism has several layers of discrimination built into it. If racism is like a spring that swirls up, those in the bottom can eventually fight their way to the top. But casteism is heirarchial. You can't move up or forward. One caste will stop you. If you make it past them, another will get you.## "This film is not just about custodial violence faced by tribal people. It is about how caste discrimination forms the basis of custodial discrimination".## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Los Angeles, January 12 - The 94th Academy Awards is set to take place on 27 March 2022. Scheduled to air on ABC, the coveted ceremony will be the first since 2018 to have a host. ## Jimmy Kimmel was the last host for the awards who hosted the Oscars in 2017 and 2018 before the ceremony went hostless in three editions due to controversy after resurfaced homophobic jokes and tweets caused Kevin Hart to stand down.## According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences did reach 25-year old British Actor Tom Holland to explore the possibility of hosting this year's ceremony. Holland, during a recent interview with THR, had expressed his desire of hosting Oscars. ## The last year's Oscars ceremony couldn't grab the attention of viewers on TV as the viewership plummed to an all-time low of 10.4 million. However, ratings for 2019's hostless Oscars actually rose to 29.56 million, before falling in 2020 to 23.64 million. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Chennai, October 23 - Tamil movie "Koozhangal" (also known as Pebbles internationally) will be competing with other international films in the Oscars 2022 for the Best International Film category. ## Produced by Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan under their banner, Rowdy Pictures, "Koozhangal" beaten 13 other films including Vidya Balan starrer "Sherni" and Vicky Kaushal's "Sardar Udham" to be selected for India's official entry in the world's most coveted awards by the 15-member jury. ## Directed by debutant PS Vinothraj, "Koozhangal" was screened at the 50th International Film Festival Rotterdam held in the Netherlands on 4 February 2021, where it received the Tiger Award at the festival. The film is based on the real-life incident that happened in director Vinothraj's family. ## The film explores the relationship between a young boy and his alcoholic father. The son follows his father to bring back his mother, who goes to her parent's house due to abuse. It shows how the father-son duo win back her trust. The movie features newcomers Chellapandi and Karuththadaiyaan in lead roles. ## Yuvan Shankar Raja has composed the music of the film while editor Ganesh Siva and cinematographers Vignesh Kumulai and Jeya Parthipan are also part of the technical crew. Koozhangal is Vignesh Shivan and Nayanthara's first production venture and it will soon release in theatres. ## There’s a chance to hear this! “And the Oscars goes to …. 🎉🎉🥰🥰🥰🥰 “ Two steps away from a dream come true moment in our lives …. ❤️❤️🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰#Pebbles #Nayanthara @PsVinothraj @thisisysr @AmudhavanKar @Rowdy_Pictures Can’t be prouder , happier & content 💝 pic.twitter.com/NKteru9CyI— Vignesh Shivan (@VigneshShivN) October 23, 2021 ## "Koozhangal" is the first Tamil movie since Vetrimaaran's "Visaranai" has been selected for the Oscars. The 94th Academy Awards 2021 is scheduled to be held on March 27, 2022, in Los Angeles.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Chennai, October 22 - Yogi Babu's acclaimed political satire comedy-drama film "Mandela" is among the 14 films shortlisted for India's entry to the Academy Awards 2022. Yogi Babu, who has become a popular name in Tamil cinema, won praise for his role in the film, which is set on the backdrop of a village panchayat election scenario between two political parties where a local barber's vote will determine the fate of the election. ## Apart from Mandela, Vidya Balan starrer "Sherni" has also been named on the list. In the film, directed by Amit V. Masurkar, Vidya plays an upright forest officer battling social barriers set by the patriarchal society and lackadaisical attitudes within her department. The movie was released directly on Amazon Prime Video and was one of the top-rated films on the streamer. ## Vicky Kaushal's recently released biographical historical drama, Sardar Udham, will also be battling out to become India's official entry in next year's Oscars. The direct-to-digital release is based on the life of Udham Singh, a revolutionary freedom fighter known for assassinating Michael O'Dwyer in London to avenge the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar. Directed by Shoojit Sircar, Sardar Udham is one of the highest-rated Indian films of 2021 on IMDb. ## Among the 14 films, Joju George, Nimisha Sajayan, and Kunchacko Boban's Malayalam film, Nayattu, has also made the cut on the list. Directed by Martin Prakkat, the movie received critical attention at the time for its tightly packed script and great performances of the actors, though there has been some criticism of its take on caste. ## The 14 selected films from across industries have reached the jury in Kolkata which contains 15 members. Filmmaker Shaji N Karun is the Chairman of the jury who will select India's final entry to the Academy Awards for the category Best International Film category. Oscars will take place in March 2022 for its 94th edition. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

National award-winning actress, Vidya Balan starrer short film, Natkhat, has won the top prize at the third edition of Best Of India Short Film Festival 2020, which makes it eligible for an Oscar nomination Balan is also the co-producer of the film.## "In a year that has been turbulent, it feels great to win the first award for our film that leads the way directly to Oscar qualification. This film is incredibly close to me since it gave me a chance to play the dual roles of actor and producer", said the actress according to India TV.## The film also won prize money of $2,500 (approximately Rs 1,85,497) and an opportunity for a television broadcast deal on ShortsTV. Vidya, who turned producer with the film, plays a homemaker in a patriarchal setup.## "Even in these times, creativity and content have found ways to thrive and travel. Through innovation and technology international festivals and platforms have continued to advance and bridge the gaps in new and disruptive ways. We are thrilled to have won the festival and are eligible for Oscar 2021 qualification. Onward, together Vidya and I hope to bring home an Oscar", co-producer Ronnie Screwvala said.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations as the organization has invited 819 new artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures to join the organization. ## Every year, some of the Indian celebrities also get an invitation to join the ceremony. This year, Hrithik Roshan and Alia Bhatt are two of the few Indians who have been invited to become new members. The Academy has recognized Hrithik Roshan for his work in Super 30 and Jodha Akbar while Alia Bhatt received an invitation for her brilliant work in Raazi and Gully Boy. ## "The Academy is delighted to welcome these distinguished fellow travelers in the motion picture arts and sciences. We have always embraced extraordinary talent that reflects the rich variety of our global film community, and never more so than now", said Academy President David Rubin in a statement.## Some of the other Indian members who have been invited are Music producer Nainita Desai (The Reason I Jump, For Sama), Casting Director Nandini Shrikent (Life Of Pi and Gully Boy), Costume Designer Neeta Lulla (Jodhaa Akbar, Devdas), Documentary directors Nishtha Jain (Gulabi Gang, Lakshmi and Me), Amit Madheshiya (The Hour of Lynching, The Cinema Travellers), Producer Priya Swaminathan, and VFX supervisor Vishal Anand (Bharat, War).## The 2020 class is 45% women, 36% underrepresented ethnic/racial communities, and 49% international from 68 countries. There are 75 Oscar nominees, including 15 winners, and five recipients of Scientific and Technical Awards. Those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy’s membership in 2020.## The Academy Awards 2021 will take place on April 25, 2021.## Stay tuned...