jasonbkohl.com

The German Federal Film Fund (DFFF) has supported 50% fewer projects over the first half of 2009 compared to the same period last year.

The Venice Film Festival has announced the full program for its 66th edition, which will run September 2-12, 2009. Twenty-three films will be competing for the coveted Golden Lion, which in the recent past has been awarded to Darren Aronofsky’s “The Wrestler” and Ang Lee’s “Lust, Caution.” American productions led the pack, with new works from Michael Moore, Werner Herzog, Todd Solondz, George A. Romero, the directorial debut of fashion designer Tom Ford, and John Hillcoat’s adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road” all heading to the Lido. Other highlights included new works from Fatih Akin, Yonfan, Shinya Tsukamoto, and an impressive French quartet in Patrice Chereau, Claire Denis, Jacques Rivette, and Jaco van Dormael. It was also noted that an additional “surprise film” will also be screening in competition.