August 5, 2014 11:08 am
Michael Moore, founder of the Traverse City Film Festival, gave Life Itself a "Special Award" recognition at the festival this past weekend. See the full list of award winners.
Roger Ebert's widow, Chaz, was attending the festival and accepted the prize on behalf of the filmmakers. Life Itself had previously played two sold-out screenings at the festival.
First released in theaters on July 4th, the acclaimed documentary is currently still playing in over 50 cities in the US and Canada through Magnolia and Video Services Corp, with many more dates to come, and is available on demand and on iTunes.
The film has also been on an international festival tour, recently playing in the Czech Republic at the Karlovy Vary film festival; in Australia at the Melbourne International Film Festival; in South Africa at the Durban International Film Festival; in Israel at the Jerusalem International Film Festival; and in Russia at the Moscow International Film Festival. Upcoming international festivals set for the film include Kosovo's Dokufest, and Hong Kong's InDPanda Film Festival, with more to be announced. The film is confirmed for a November 14th release in theaters in the United Kingdom, via Dogwoof, and for 2014 theatrical releases in Australia and Italy. Watch this space for more international theatrical, digital and broadcast release date information to come.
We continue to be grateful and excited by the wonderful reviews the film has received. Here is another selection (look here and here for more):
Do yourself a favor and watch the Roger Ebert doc "life itself." Of course a movie about his life would hit home on six or seven layers.
— John Mayer (@JohnMayer) July 21, 2014
1million thumbs up for Steve James' LIFE ITSELF. Ebert said "the movies are like a machine that generates empathy." He'd have loved this one
— A24 (@A24Films) July 22, 2014
Documentary Life Itself about @ebertchicago is funny, moving and really made me miss Roger Ebert. Gonna go watch some Ebert YouTube reviews
— Elias Toufexis (@EliasToufexis) July 31, 2014
LIFE ITSELF. #MIFF2014 I laughed, I cried, I mourned Ebert's loss. Would watch and cry again.
— Dunecat (@worstbastard) August 5, 2014
I haven't gotten as emotional watching a movie as I did #LifeItself or @ebertmovie in twenty-five years.
— Rod Lurie (@RodLurie) July 22, 2014
Lovely words about @EbertMovie, from @RodLurie (with h/t to @raypride). Thank you. pic.twitter.com/1Qv93Z7OJY
— Kartemquin Films (@Kartemquin) July 22, 2014
The Ebert movie was everything. The entire last hour was catharsis. The film ended and there are fireworks outside my window. Appropriate.
— dan sinker (@dansinker) July 26, 2014
Just watched Life Itself, the Roger Ebert doc. An amazing film. I can't recommend it enough.
— Kelly Broadway (@kbroadway) August 3, 2014
I found the new Roger Ebert documentary, Life Itself, deeply affecting. It's about life, death, love and writing. You should see it.
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) July 13, 2014
The Ebert doc Life Itself is a sincere and powerful portrayal of mortality and undyiing love http://t.co/Cg3xGrcadW @SacNewsReview
— Daniel Barnes (@BarnesOnFilm) July 31, 2014
Do yourself a favor, watch the documentary on Roger Ebert, Life Itself. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll appreciate life so much more.
— Roberto (@roberto_cf) August 1, 2014
If @EbertMovie "doesn’t get on the Oscar shortlist I’ll eat Werner Herzog’s other shoe." - @DocSoupMan for @povdocs: http://t.co/qpySBRhkvo
— Kartemquin Films (@Kartemquin) August 4, 2014
Had they titled the new doc film "Life Itself" on Roger Ebert "Love Itself," it would be no less accurate. Two thumbs up.
— Kevin B. Blackistone (@ProfBlackistone) August 4, 2014
Jimmy reads Chaz Ebert negative reviews her husband Roger Ebert gave Jimmy! Part 1: http://t.co/iNeXvUZXye / Part 2: http://t.co/0vPcfVUtG6
— Fallon Tonight (@FallonTonight) July 19, 2014
Loved the @ebertchicago doc, Life Itself. Highly recommended. Here's looking at you, CHAZ EBERT!
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) July 20, 2014
Saw @EbertMovie tonight @WGAWest. All I can say is bravo to Steve James and @Kartemquin films - what a masterpiece!
— Rory-Owen Delaney (@mbdfilms) July 29, 2014
In a matter of 24 hours, I've seen #LifeItself twice (once alone and once with my whole family). Truly a masterpiece. A marvel of a film.
— Clay Bloodworth (@TheClaySinger) July 28, 2014
Impossible not to be moved by #LifeItself A triumph for @Kartemquin Will stay with me for quite some time.
— Sasha Reuther (@SashaReuther) July 27, 2014
So moved by @ebertchicago documentary #LifeItself. Rec'd unanimous ovation at @Belcourt this afternoon. Lovely, messy, human. Don't miss.
— Gretchen Peters (@gretchenpeters) July 26, 2014
A film about Roger Ebert reminds us of a time when movie criticism mattered http://t.co/UITPEpM8fX pic.twitter.com/gqeiSi58Oe
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) July 24, 2014
I saw the Ebert doc #LifeItself last night, and it was one of the most heartbreaking, wonderful and inspiring movies I've ever seen. GO.
— Kate Bauer (@kate_bauer) July 15, 2014
I just took my 10 yr old son to see @EbertMovie #LifeItself because I wanted him to understand movie criticism, a life well lived and (#1)
— Mary Pols (@MaryPols) July 23, 2014
Also defiance in the face of fearsome things. What we also got from #LifeItself: portrait of beautiful love, found late(ish) in life & (#2)
— Mary Pols (@MaryPols) July 23, 2014
Also, the joys of newspapering, the poignancy and laughter in the Siskel and @ebertchicago relationship and above all: beauty in #lifeitself
— Mary Pols (@MaryPols) July 23, 2014
So that's a long way of saying thank you, as a mother and a former film critic to @Kartemquin, @ebertchicago @EbertMovie and @ChazEbert
— Mary Pols (@MaryPols) July 23, 2014
If you love @EbertMovie, don't just recommend it to others; take them to see it. Just came from seeing for the 4th time, and did just that.
— Steve Prokopy (@CaponeAicn) July 15, 2014
"It just makes you love life." - @jimmyfallon
iTunes: http://t.co/5l2KnbkyOF On Demand: http://t.co/Uh3FeYAolO pic.twitter.com/ZuzWdn3ILw
— Life Itself (@EbertMovie) July 24, 2014