A bevy of deals, awards, and new releases were announced in November for filmmakers in our network of alums. Here's a roundup! Remember, if you've been featured on Short of the Week in the past and want to be included in future incarnations of this post, hit us up with your news at press@shortoftheweek.com

***

Production

Stephan Zlotescu, whose film True Skin we called one finest sci-fi proof-of-concept shorts ever, just wrapped production on Future Sex, a sci-fi anthology series. Fellow S/W alums, Mac & Zac (Similo), direct. This is the first in a slate of 5 series Zlotescu will produce for Black Pills, an interesting new digital startup founded by the ex-VP of Canal+ alongside the founder of Deezer. Fellow exec producers include Ground Control's Scott Glassgold, and H1 Films.

Courtney Hoffman, director of The Good Time Girls, is on a good run. We recently shared the news that she was attached to direct her feature debut at Amblin Partners, now comes word that the feature rights to her short have been acquired by Argent Pictures.

Jacob Chase, familiar to S/W fans for Amy, has gotten a production commitment for a pilot at ABC. Titled Harmony, the show is "musical-drama" about murder in a small town, and has the co-creators of The Foster's on-board as writer/producers as well. Head's up, Chase will have a second short premiering on the site this Friday, titled Larry. Set your calendar for that one.

A whopping 18 films were commissioned by Film London as part of their "London Calling" scheme. 2-time S/W featured filmmaker Thea Gajic was one of the recipients.

AWARDS

Last time out we highlighted nominees for The Gothams, this time we highlight filmmakers recognized by the Spirit Awards, indie film's Oscars. Matt Spicer, Geremy Jasper, & Joshua Weinstein are up for Best First Feature, David Lowery for the John Cassvettes Award, The Safdie Bros for Best Director, Matt Spicer again for Best First Screenplay, Joshua James Richards, the DP on Frances Bodomo's Boneshaker is up for an award in the Best Cinematography category alongside Elisha Christian who shot Pink Grapefruit, and finally Alex O'Flinn is nominated for Best Editing.

Across the pond, Charlie Lyne wins first ever Grierson Short Film award for Fish Story, & Ross Hogg took home a Scottish BAFTA. Congrats!

Not an "award" per se, but a new batch of Sundance Ignite fellows were announced this past month. Matthew Puccini is one of them!

Releases

One of Netflix's big documentary buys of the year is Voyeur, a creepy documentary that details a shocking story uncovered by legendary magazine writer Gay Talese. As of yesterday, the film is out on the streaming service. Myles Kane and Josh Koury directed, you know them from We Will Live Again.

Hiro Murai (Clapping for the Wrong Reasons) has transitioned from music video maestro to TV giant with his work on FX's Atlanta, and now helms a new Amazon pilot, which debuted on the streaming service this past month. Sea Oak is a black comedy starring Glenn Close as a Rust Belt woman who comes back from the dead after she's killed in a home invasion. Check it out and fingers crossed for a full series pickup.

This is a bit of older news that slipped by us, but the second series of Jane Campion's beloved crime showTop of the Lake, came out this fall. Half the episodes were directed by site favorite Ariel Kleiman (Deeper Than Yesterday). In the States the series is broadcast on SundaceTV, and is also available on Hulu.

Christina Choe (I am John Wayne) has further news later down this post, but we'd be remiss to neglect her 4-part documentary series, Welcome to the DPRK, a fascinating trip into the topical kingdom of North Korea, which is now playing for free on Topic.

Like last month, it's a good time to catch up on features from alums which have finally made their way to home video. Recent releases include the Safdie Bros. with Good Time via A24, Eliza Hittman and Beach Rats via NEON, Geremy Jasper with Patti Cake$ via Fox Searchlight, & Doug Nichol with California Typewriter. Cozy up on the couch and dial one of these excellent films up.

FESTIVALS

With the new year fast approaching, eyes turn to Park City for Sundance and the kickoff to the 2018 Festival year. Shorts have yet to be announced, but the feature slate is full up with S/W-featured filmmakers.

U.S. Dramatic Competition: Carlos Lopez Estrada - Blindspotting, Reinaldo Marcus Green - Monsters and Men, Christina Choe - Nancy

NEXT: Bridey Elliott - Clara's Ghost, Josephine Decker - Madeline's Madeline, Jordana Spiro - Night Comes On, Crystal Moselle - Skate Kitchen, Jeremiah Zagar - We the Animals, Daryl Wein - White Rabbit.

Premieres: The Zellner Bros - Damsel

Stay tuned, we'll be giving you a more in-depth look at these films in an upcoming post.

Catch up on previous Filmmaker Updates