Louis C.K., Bjork among Webby Award winners: “Comedian Louis C.K. picked up the top honor, person of the year, from the Webby Awards on Tuesday, while social networking newcomers Pinterest, Spotify and Instagram were singled out for being Internet innovators … Icelandic singer Bjork was named artist of the year for her multimedia ‘app album,’ ‘Biophilia,’ while actress Juliette Lewis and comedian Graydon Sheppard were singled out for their original Youtube series ‘Sh*t Girls Say,’ which became a viral phenomenon last December, generating 16.2 million views.” REUTERS
Motion Picture Academy celebrates Gene Kelly centennial: “The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present a two-night celebration of the life and career of legendary dancer, director and choreographer Gene Kelly on the 100th anniversary of his birth. Film clips, personal remembrances and an exploration of the technology Kelly used to change the look of dance on film will be featured on consecutive evenings: Thursday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, and Friday, May 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. Both programs will be hosted by Kelly’s widow, film historian Patricia Ward Kelly.” DEADLINE
Tony-nominee Cristin Milioti talks about winning her coveted role in “Once“: “I auditioned for the Girl, but the part had already been cast before the audition had even been held so I ended up playing Réza, the Girl’s flat mate. We did the reading, and then a day or two later the director called and said that he wanted me to come in and audition for the Girl again for everyone, and he really pushed for me the entire time. I was deemed not a good enough piano player … So they gave me ten days to learn two songs on the piano, and I did. I came in and I played ‘The Hill,’ and I got it.” ROLLING STONE
Motion Picture Academy announces the finalists for student Oscars: “Thirty-five students from 20 U.S. colleges and universities have been selected as finalists in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 39th Annual Student Academy Awards competition. Academy members will view the finalists’ films at special screenings and vote to select the winners. Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal awards, along with accompanying cash grants of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 respectively, may be presented in each of four categories: Alternative, Animation, Documentary and Narrative.” DEADLINE
Is it a good idea to simplify Canada’s TV and film awards? “The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television’s announcement Tuesday that it will combine its annual film, television and digital media awards into a single gala event will be welcome news to those who could never separate the Genies from the Geminis. It may also have the added benefit of drawing more attention to efforts to create a purely homegrown star system. And it may encourage more people to watch Canadian TV programs, or see Canadian movies, if they now know those movies exist. There will be complaints from some of those who work in the industry, no doubt. Canadian television insiders like the idea of a gala evening devoted entirely to TV, and filmmakers are probably no different” CANADA.COM
Sissy Spacek and William Friedkin will be honored at the Seattle Film Festival: “Sissy Spacek will receive the festival’s award for Outstanding Achievement in Acting on June 7 and William Friedkin will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award on June 9. ‘Sissy Spacek and William Friedkin have captivated audiences repeatedly throughout their careers with critically acclaimed works that boast multigenerational appeal,’ said SIFF Artistic Director Carl Spence via press release.” IN CONTENTION
