We recently learned that John has won the 2013 Lifetime Achievement PROGIE Award from The Progressive. John shares this award with co-winner Robert Redford. The Progressive writes: Since 1979’s “The Return of the Secaucus Seven” — a look back at ’60s student radicalism — writer/director John Sayles has displayed a singular, independent vision. 1983’s “Lianna” dealt with lesbianism long before it was chic to do so; 1984’s “The Brother From Another Planet” tackled racism; while

This March, John and Maggie will be attending the 54th FICCI film festival in Colombia. The FICCI will be presenting a retrospective of ten John Sayles films, as well as a roundtable discussion with John on March 18th. From the press release: Two time, Oscar-nominated American actor, director and screenwriter John Sayles will be at the 54th FICCI along with the very best of his films and will be part of a roundtable discussion at Salón FICCI. If Sayles’ films could be describ

We have had an update on the goings-on in Bohol, Philippines, from Cooper Resabal (our Second Second Assistant Director and John’s Assistant on the AMIGO set): We’re excited to tell you that we have re-launched our project [formerly the Baryo Living Museum] as Bol-anon Village Cultural Trails.  The Baryo Amigo Cultural Troupe are playing a big role in providing people not just in playing the 1900s scenarios we require, but also in cooking Boholano cuisine, singing Bohol songs

John and Maggie have spent February in Hawaii, teaching master classes and doing Q&As at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (where John has been in residence as the 2014 Inouye Chair in Democratic Ideals). Now that their time on the islands is wrapping up, Maggie sends us this greeting, and an artist shout-out. Greeting from sunny Oahu! I won’t rub it in just to say I am so happy to be away from snow. We’d like to acknowledge Shepard Fairey and thank him for designing the John

John and Maggie will be spending most of the month of February at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. John will be in residency as the 2014 Inouye Chair in Democratic Ideals, and he and Maggie will both be giving master classes to students. In addition, the American Studies Department has been presenting John Sayles Film series, co-sponsored by the College of Arts & Humanities and the Academy for Creative Media. The film series will conclude on February 13th with a screening o

John and Maggie will be in attendance at the 2014 Modern Language Association (MLA) Convention in Chicago, January 9-12. If you’re in Chicago, be sure to check out the following events: A screening of Eight Men Out Thursday, Jan 9 @ 6:30pm — Grand I, Chicago Marriott John Sayles and Maggie Renzi: A Creative Conversation Saturday, Jan 11 @ 10:15am — Chicago E, Chicago Marriott MLA Awards Ceremony Saturday, Jan 11 @ 6:45pm — Sheraton IV-V, Sheraton Chicago You can see a list

GO FOR SISTERS has officially opened in cities coast-to-coast, to sold-out houses and fantastic press! But the film’s journey is far from over. New cities have been added all across the US, and we’re  happy to announce all the places you’ll be able to catch John’s newest film in the coming months! Up-to-the-minute theatre listings can always be found at: goforsistersmovie.com/#theaters And you can also find ticket information at the link above. GO FOR SISTERS Upcoming Playdat

You may have heard that today is Giving Tuesday, which is the charitable giving cohort to shopping on Black Friday. In the spirit of Giving Tuesday, we’d like to draw attention to the great work of the Amigo For Bohol team, and also encourage you to help the people of the Philippines today if you are able. Joel Torre and AMIGO cast/crew members being interviewed by local TV at the benefit screening We have pictures and a report from the AMIGO benefit screenings that took plac

You will remember that last month a massive 7.2 earthquake hit the Bohol Province of the Philippines, where AMIGO was filmed.  Many of the cast and crew members of AMIGO were affected by this catastrophic event.  The Amigo Para Sa Bohol (“Amigo for Bohol”) effort was created to use benefit screenings of the film to collect monetary and physical donations for victims of the national disaster. As you have no doubt heard, this region is once again in the news due to Super Typhoo

Members of the AMIGO cast and crew You will remember that last month a massive 7.2 earthquake hit the Bohol Province of the Philippines, where AMIGO was filmed.  Many of the cast and crew members of AMIGO were affected by this catastrophic event.  The Amigo Para Sa Bohol (“Amigo for Bohol”) effort was created to use benefit screenings of the film to collect monetary and physical donations for victims of the national disaster. Screenings have been scheduled for: Friday, Novemb

As we told you yesterday, a recent massive 7.2 earthquake hit the Bohol Province of the Philippines, where AMIGO was filmed.  Many of the cast and crew members of AMIGO have been affected by this catastrophic event. Read the full story here. In order to help, Maggie and John are teaming up with the University of the Philippines Film Institute to raise awareness and supplies with benefit screenings of AMIGO.  These screenings will raise funds, as well as serve as a drop off lo

As we told you last month, Variance Films has picked up John’s 18th feature film, GO FOR SISTERS, and the movie will be released on screens around the country very soon! Where, you ask, and when? Will John be doing any Q&As? Read on! GO FOR SISTERS Playdates October 4th @ 8:30pm || Woodstock Film Festival || Woodstock, NY (click here for info) October 6th @ 5:40pm || Scottsdale International Film Festival || Scottsdale, AZ (click here for info) October 16th @ 6:30pm || Santa

Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts is the alma mater of both John Sayles and Maggie Renzi. In 1993, on the college’s 200th anniversary, Williams established its Bicentennial Medals to honor accomplished alumni for distinguished achievement in any field of endeavor. This year, both John (class of ’72) and Maggie (class of ’73) will be honored at the September 7th Fall Convocation for their work as “creative partners and pioneers in independent film.” President Fal

Chris Cooper and John on the set of “Amigo” On July 19th at 6:30pm, John, Maggie, and actor Chris Cooper will attend a special screening of Amigo in Plymouth, MA. There will be a Q&A after the screening. Get more information here. Reservations recommended. Call 508-746-1622 x 8346 for tickets or purchase online by clicking here. $20 General Admission $15 Plimouth Plantation Museum Members, Senior Citizens & Students Need Dinner? Reserve a special box dinner for just $12. All

Back in March, John Sayles premiered his 18th feature film, GO FOR SISTERS, at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin. After screenings, he answered questions from sold-out crowds about the making of the movie, his career in film, and upcoming projects. In this Q&A, John talks about his fascination with the Border, and how it plays a role in GO FOR SISTERS and his other films. Head over to our YouTube channel for more new Q&A videos from SXSW!  www.YouTube.com/TheJohnSaylesChannel

Remember when John and Maggie went to Australia to be mentors for Film Victoria?  They stayed in a lovely Victorian spa town called Hepburn Springs, ate great food and drank great wine (Maggie) while each day having a couple of meetings with teams of filmmakers to discuss their scripts? Well one of the teams they mentored has a film opening in the U.S. and on demand tomorrow! It’s a crazy horror/comedy called 100 BLOODY ACRES. Watch the trailer below, and click here for the m

All of you fans of AMIGO and particularly the AMIGO cast and crew will be glad to know that Baryo San Isidro lives. Under the direction of Cooper Resabal, the Baryo Living Museum incorporates our sets and costumes and many of the villagers who worked as extras in the movie. Don’t they look wonderful? Thanks, Coop. You can read more about the BLM on our blog by clicking here, and on the Baryo Amigo HQ blog by clicking here. #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1

Back in April, John was part of an event at The Center for Transpacific Studies at USC called Troubled Ocean: Filmmakers Imagine the Pacific, along with director Vilsoni Hereniko. Photo Credit: Chris Santiago The Pacific has a vivid hold on the European and American imagination as a paradise, as a vast region of exploration, as a mystery. It has also been a place of conquest, colonization and war. In a one-day festival, screenings and discussions with filmmakers John Sayles a

On June 15th, John will be reading at the upcoming Four Way Books Pig Roast in Millbrook, NY. Four Way Books is a nonprofit literary press based out of NYC’s Tribeca, publishing 11-13 books of poetry and short fiction each year. Please join as we celebrate Four Way Books’s 20th anniversary with an afternoon pig roast in the beautiful Hudson Valley. The day will feature delicious food (including a great vegetarian option) and drinks, and short readings from friends and authors

The Center for Transpacific Studies presents a Visions and Voices event, Troubled Ocean: Filmmakers Imagine the Pacific, with directors John Sayles and Vilsoni Hereniko. click here for more information Saturday, APRIL 27 12:00 – 9:00 PM | Norris Cinema Theatre Frank Sinatra Hall | University Park Campus | University of Southern California Admission is free. Refreshments will be served. The Pacific has a vivid hold on the European and American imagination as a paradise, as a v