Update: Here's the story by Variety's Dave McNary.

LONGTIME COLUMBIA PICTURES CHIEFS MATT TOLMACH AND DOUG BELGRAD TRANSITION INTO NEW ROLES

Tolmach Launches New Production Company and Joins Spider-Man Team As Belgrad Promoted to Sole President of Columbia Pictures

Just hours after Christopher Nolan revealed the title of his third Batman pic ("The Dark Knight Rises"), Tom Cruise and the cast of Paramount's fourth "Mission: Impossible" have followed suit, unveiling the official name of their upcoming action sequel: "Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol."

Cruise made the "Ghost Protocol" announcement, along with director Brad Bird and thesps Jeremy Renner and Paula Patton, at a press conference Thursday in Dubai where MI4 is currently filming.

"Dubai is very cinematic so we are happy to be here," said Cruise.

Produced by J.J. Abrams and Cruise, "Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol" opens Dec. 16, 2011.

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By Justin Kroll

Jeremy Piven has rounded out the cast of Robert Rodriguez’s “Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World.”

The pic already stars Jessica Alba, Joel McHale, Rowan Blanchard and Mason Cook and is currently in production in Austin, TX.

This latest installment focuses on a new family with Alba playing the latest spy in trouble and Blanchard and Cook playing her children who are forced to join the family business to help their step-mom save the world from being taken over by the Timekeeper played by Piven.

Summit has announced additional supporting roles for the upcoming "Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn" pics.

Olga Fonda, Masami Kosaka, and Amadou Ly will join the popular vampire franchise in addition to thesps Ty Olsson, Wendell Pierce and Janelle Froehlic.

Summit recently announced the 'Covens' and 'Nomad' vampire circles in Parts I and II, who join stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner.

"Breaking Dawn" parts I and II open Nov. 18, 2011 and Nov. 16, 2012.

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 Known for being one of the most cryptic directors in the biz, Christopher Nolan has come forward with a couple of interesting details about the next Batman film.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Nolan says his latest superhero pic will be titled "The Dark Knight Rises."

“We’ll use many of the same characters as we have all along, and we’ll be introducing some new ones,” Nolan says.

The script, which was co-written by Nolan and his brother, Jonathan, is based on an idea by Nolan and his "Superman" collaborator David S. Goyer.

As for the pic's villain, the "Inception" helmer notes, "It will not be the Riddler."

So who will be Bruce Wayne's dark shadow in the next Batman installment?

"Oh, you know me, I don't talk," Nolan says.

The director did, however, say "The Dark Knight Rises" will not be shot in 3D. Like its boffo predecessor, Nolan's third Batman pic will shoot in high-definition and IMAX cameras.

Warners will release "The Dark Knight Rises" July 30, 2012.

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By Dave McNary

The Spirit Awards are moving back to Santa Monica Beach after a one-time shift to downtown Los Angeles.

Film Independent made the announcement Tuesday, two months after announcing the 26th annual Spirit Awards would be held on Feb. 26 -- its usual slot on the day before the Oscars.

Film Independent said red carpet arrivals will begin at 11:30 a.m., with the ceremony scheduled to start at 2 p.m. IFC will air the ceremonies at 10 p.m.

Nominations will be announced Nov. 30, and all past Spirit Award winners and nominees will be eligible to vote for the winners.  

Film Independent's tapped Dick Clark Prods., Barry Adelman and executive producer Audrey Morrissey of Live Animals for the upcoming show.

This year's gala featured a pair of notable shifts -- a new location at the L.A. Live complex downtown rather than the usual beachside site and an evening start instead of its previous Saturday midday launch -- as part of an effort by  Film Independent to herald its 25th anniversary.

Only films made for $20 million or less are eligible for the Spirit Awards. "Precious" monopolized this year's awards, copping five trophies including best feature, director for Lee Daniels, actress for Gabourey Sidibe, supporting actress for Mo'Nique and first screenplay for Geoffrey Fletcher.

Beverly Hills, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that, following a two-month-long cordial exchange of correspondence with Academy president Tom Sherak, Jean-Luc Godard has regretfully notified Sherak that he will not be able to attend the November 13th Governors Awards and receive his Honorary Award in person.

 

“He reiterated his thanks for the award,” reported Sherak, “and also sent his good wishes to the other individuals being honored the same night – Kevin Brownlow, Francis Ford Coppola and Eli Wallach – who he refers to as ‘the three other musketeers.’ ”

 

The November 13 dinner ceremony, which is being produced by Sid Ganis and Don Mischer, will pay tribute to Godard through film clips and commentary by his admirers.  The award will be accepted on Godard’s behalf by the Academy and following the event, the Academy will arrange for the Oscar® statuette to be delivered to him in Switzerland. 

 

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Austin Film Festival (AFF) is pleased to announce its 2010 Film Competition winners. Each year, the Austin Film Festival holds film competitions in six categories: Narrative Feature, Narrative Short, Narrative Student Short, Animated Short, Documentary Feature and Documentary Short. Winners received cash prizes ranging from $500 to $5,000, reimbursements for travel and lodging while at the festival and access to and recognition by some of the most important writers, agents, producers and filmmakers in the industry. All awards were presented to the writers of the winning films on October 23, 2010 during the Austin Film Festival Awards Luncheon.

The following winners were selected by category:

2010 AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL FILM COMPETITION JURY WINNERS

Best Narrative Feature: Adios Mundo Cruel – Writers: Jack Zagha Kababie, Enrique Chmelnik

Narrative Feature Special Jury Mention: Dog Sweat – Writers: Maryam Azadi, Hossein Keshavarz

Best Documentary Feature: Louder Than a Bomb - Directors: Greg Jacobs & Jon Siskel