Announcing Sofia Coppola, Chloe Sevigny & Opening Night Film

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOFIA COPPOLA TO BE NAMED PROVINCETOWN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL’S
“FILMMAKER ON THE EDGE”

— Chloë Sevigny to receive Excellence in Acting Award —

— Noël Wells’ MR. ROOSEVELT to open the festival on June 14; Wells to attend –

April 12, 2017 (Provincetown, MA) – The Provincetown International Film Festival (PIFF) announced today that Academy Award-winning writer/director Sofia Coppola will be named the 2017 Filmmaker on the Edge. Coppola will be in attendance to accept the award in conversation with resident artist John Waters on Saturday, June 17, at Provincetown’s historic Town Hall.

An acclaimed writer, director and producer, Coppola’s outstanding filmography includes THE VIRGIN SUICIDES, LOST IN TRANSLATION (Academy Award winner, Best Original Screenplay; Academy Award nominee, Best Director & Best Picture), MARIE ANTOINETTE, SOMEWHERE, THE BLING RING and “A Very Murray Christmas” (Emmy Award nominee, Outstanding Television Movie). Coppola’s latest film, THE BEGUILED, is adapted from Thomas Cullinan’s novel of the same name and stars Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Colin Farrell. The film, which she directed, wrote and produced, will be released by Focus Features on June 23.

Now in its 19th year, the festival has a long history of honoring filmmakers whose extraordinary
achievement, innovation, and vision pushes the boundaries of their craft. Previous recipients of the Filmmaker on the Edge prize include David Cronenberg, Darren Aronofsky, Quentin Tarantino, Christine Vachon, Todd Haynes, Gus Van Sant and Ang Lee.

Additionally, the festival announced that actress and director Chloë Sevigny will receive the Excellence in Acting Award. Sevigny will accept in conversation with Eugene Hernandez, deputy director of the Film Society of Lincoln Center and co-founder of Indiewire.

Sevigny made her film debut in the lead role of “Jennie” in Larry Clark’s controversial KIDS, written by Harmony Korine. She has since had a wide-ranging career in film and television, including an Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe-winning performance in Kimberly Peirce’s BOYS DON’T CRY. Other notable acting credits include THE LAST DAYS OF DISCO, AMERICAN PSYCHO, “Big Love” (Golden Globe winner), “American Horror Story,” LOVE & FRIENDSHIP, and “Bloodline.” Upcoming film credits include Oren Moverman’s THE DINNER, Miguel Arteta’s BEATRIZ AT DINNER, Alex Ross Perry’s GOLDEN EXITS, Tom Alfredson’s THE SNOWMAN, Andrew Haigh’s LEAN ON PETE, and Craig William Macneill’s LIZZIE.

Previous honorees of the Excellent in Acting Award include Gael García Bernal, Tilda Swinton, Vera Farmiga, Patricia Clarkson and Cynthia Nixon.

Christine Walker, Executive Director of PIFF and CEO of the Provincetown Film Society, said, “During one of the most galvanizing moments for women in recent political history, we are thrilled to honor two women who have already altered the lens through which we see women in Hollywood. Sofia Coppola is the deft auteur whose imprimatur is unapologetically feminine. Chlöe Sevigny is the fearless iconoclast whose work is remarkable simply because she inhabits it.”

The festival will kick off with MR. ROOSEVELT, written, directed and starring Noël Wells (Netflix’s “Master of None”). The charming comedy tells the story of struggling comedian Emily Martin (Wells), who returns to her college town of Austin, Texas, after a loved one falls ill and must come to terms with her past while staying with her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend. Wells will be in attendance for the Opening Night Gala on Wednesday, June 14.

Lisa Viola, PIFF’s newly appointed Artistic Director, said, “We are thrilled to present Noël Wells’ directorial debut for our Opening Night, as it embodies the spirit of our festival, showcasing a smart woman both in front and behind the camera, and is filled with fresh writing and a striking sense of humor.”

The Provincetown International Film Festival runs June 14 – 18, 2017 in Provincetown, MA. Purchase festival passes at www.ptownfilmfest.org. Individual tickets go on sale on May 22.

The 2017 Filmmaker on the Edge Award is sponsored by Lithexcel. The Excellence in Acting Award is sponsored by The Palette Fund and the Mallrd Foundation. Major sponsors of the 2017 Provincetown International Film Festival include: HBO, Wine Enthusiast, the Visitor Tourism Board, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Xfinity, HereTV, and The Boston Globe.

Press Materials: http://tinyurl.com/PIFF2017

About The Provincetown Film Society & The Provincetown International Film Festival:

To make Provincetown – with its unique combination of art institutions, culture, history and natural beauty – the global destination for creative exploration in film.

The Provincetown Film Society (PFS) is a non-profit dedicated to continuing the founding mission of the Provincetown Art Colony – to provide a welcoming, nurturing and inspiring environment for boundless and authentic creative exploration – in film. From the time it was founded in 1998 the Society has been committed to serving its communities who are often outside of the mainstream, in the margins, or otherwise underserved – but have a voice critical to the evolution of artistic expression. It has also been dedicated to the celebration of Provincetown – an American treasure nestled amongst spectacular National Seashore beaches, and a shining example of diversity and inclusion. Through its Festival, Cinema and Institute, the Society endeavors to give year-round support to aspiring and up-and-coming, and established independent filmmakers, and to connect them with curious and engaged audiences globally.

Facebook: facebook.com/PtownFilmSocietyTwitter: @PtownFilm
Instagram: @PtownFilm

Press Contacts

RJ Millard / Kory Mello
Obscured Pictures
212.620.0727
[email protected]
[email protected]

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