And also the Champion of Movieline's Hunger Games Haiku Contest Is...

After receiving over 600 records within our Hunger Games haiku contest, it required some Katniss-strength fortitude to locate one victor to consider home the coveted grand prize, a set of tickets towards the March 12 La premiere. You believe selecting between Peeta and Gale is difficult? Try choosing a champion in the vivid, emotional, romantic, lyrical, amusing, and evocative poems posted by Hunger Games diehards within our Cornucopia of words. To be able to be qualified, records needed to be original arrangements in haiku form and become inspired by any kind of Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games. A lot of you required the very first person approach, writing as Katniss some elected to approach it from the purpose of look at Peeta, Rue, or any other supporting figures within the Hunger Games world. Overall, the strength of the Hunger Games mythology and heroine Katniss Everdeen's journey shone through. Within the spirit from the Games, listed here are the very best 12 "candidates" (ending using the contest's winning entry): Nina Kuo: Pick Peeta or Gale? Well, I have been an admirer of polyandry! -- Momin Sherazi: Katniss, I knead you I bread your pardon Peeta? I stated I loaf You -- Robyn: Screw Gale and Peeta This hellish revolution Was all for you personally, Rue -- Brittany Huynh: I put you some bread And today I throw you my heart Don't break it apart -- Samantha: You are the boy with bread. And i'm the lady burning, We do too make toast? -- Marly (we'll allow the extra syllables fly due to the Tim Gunn reference): Cinna is easily the most normal He jogs my memory of Tim Gunn Have great results, Katniss -- Kristen Kelly: Silver parachutes My kisses bring survival But can there be love here? -- jjl: Basically would win Maybe my spouse would see I am Much better than Peeta -- Skid Maher: So Peeta or Gale? oh seriously Katniss, why don't you drive them both, you prude -- James: A children's deathmatch Ignites a nation to battle No sparkling vampires of the underworld -- Prianna Ahsan: Towards the Capitol where dying awaits me now, yet my thoughts is on boys. -- And also the champion of Movieline's Hunger Games Haiku contest is... Lisa, whose entry taken the wistful spirit of Collins' books having a lyricism evoking Katniss's relationship together with her fellow tribute Rue, the legendary Mockingjay call, and also the rebellion she inspires with one courageous act throughout the Games. Lisa: Four notes around the wind-- I have to whistle for you personally now. Hear our song, Panem? Champion to the champion and thank you to any or all who performed! Read all of the Hunger Games haiku records here. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

FIND finds fresh Spirit guides

Film Independent co-prexies Josh Welsh and Sean McManus combine their experience with the org to keep the Spirit Awards and other initiatives on track.Are two heads better than one? Sean McManus and Josh Welsh, the new co-presidents of Film Independent, are happy to have a mutual partner in leading the nonprofit that runs the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival."I look back at what Dawn did, and I'm not sure how she did it alone," Welsh says.By Dawn, he means Dawn Hudson, of course. As the longtime exec director of Film Independent, the well-connected Hudson was instrumental in growing FIND into a specialty player powerhouse. When she announced her departure to become CEO of AMPAS last summer, industryites wondered who would be able to fill her heels."It was a daunting task," admits "Six Feet Under" producer and FIND board member Alan Poul, who co-chaired the search committee to find her replacement. "Dawn was such a strong single executive. The idea of dividing the position was something that we approached gently."Poul acknowledges that it will take time for the duo to be accepted as the two faces of FIND, "but both of them are so well liked and well respected among the L.A community and they're both articulate and affable, I have no doubt that they'll grow into it."McManus and Welsh also come from divergent backgrounds and disparate specialties within FIND, making for a strong tag-team dynamic. As FIND board member and longtime indie publicist Laura Kim says, "They are the perfect pairing of skill sets."McManus, a USC business school alum, was Hudson's right-hand man for years as the org's senior director, overseeing its staffers and playing a key role in expanding its annual budget from $1.6 million to more than $8.5 million. After Hudson's exit, he operated as interim director. Welsh, who has a doctorate in philosophy from Johns Hopkins, ran FIND's Artist Development programs for a decade.But they resist the notion that they represent opposing sides of commerce and art. "Our roles have been focused on complementary areas, but our brains have been on the same page," McManus says.While there remains some division between the duo's responsibilities, between fundraising and filmmaker programs, Welsh says there is extensive overlap."We're not operating in silos," says Welsh. "We don't make decisions without the other's input."As an example, Welsh cites the Spirit Awards: The kudocast has afforded Welsh the opportunity to do fundraising development. And for all the artists services the org runs, Welsh says he's worked closely on getting those programs funded."We're a good team when we go out and pitch our programs," he says. "I can articulate what we're doing and how we serve filmmakers, and Sean, as a fundraiser, has the combination of personal skills and savvy that has enabled him to grow this organization financially."McManus considers the org's fundraising successes a team effort. At FIND's L.A. Film Festival, for example, he notes AEG's sponsorship was the result of many, including former fest director Rebecca Yeldham, Hudson and Gloria Campbell, as well as himself. For this year's Spirits, McManus also heralds the arrival of new auto sponsor Audi, a partnership he says took a couple of years to cultivate.As for the future of FIND, McManus and Welsh thank Hudson for leaving the org in a solid place, not only operating in the black over the past few economically challenging years, but launching up-to-date efficiencies, such as a new website and database. "We are now leading a very mature, stable and strong organization," claims Walsh. "So we don't have to completely revamp. It's a matter of expanding the types of programs we have to offer and deepening the funding for those programs."One growing area of development is television. Both co-prexies tout their new Fox Writers Intensive program, a partnership with Fox Broadcasting's Audience Strategy to find writers from underrepresented communities. Walsh notes an increased focus in their Producers Lab on questions of distribution rather than just getting a movie made."That's an example of the direction that we're moving," he says. "We're keenly attuned to the needs of filmmakers finding and reaching their audience."As the org moves forward, McManus refers to "The Five I's" to define the values FIND represents: Integrity, Inclusiveness, Innovation, Initiative, Inspiration. "They're our guiding principles," he says.And the nominees are: BEST FEATURE "The Artist"Producer: Thomas Langmann "Beginners"Producers: Miranda de Pencier, Lars Knudsen, Leslie Urdang, Dean Vanech, Jay Van Hoy "The Descendants"Producers: Jim Burke, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor "Drive"Producers: Michel Litvak, John Palermo, Marc Platt, Gigi Pritzker, Adam Siegel "50/50"Producers: Evan Goldberg, Ben Karlin, Seth Rogen "Take Shelter"Producers: Tyler Davidson, Sophia Lin FEMALE LEAD Lauren Ambrose - "Think of Me"Rachael Harris - "Natural Selection" Adepero Oduye - "Pariah"Elizabeth Olsen - "Martha Marcy May Marlene" Michelle Williams - "My Week With Marilyn" MALE LEAD Demian Bichir - "A Better Life" Jean Dujardin - "The Artist" Ryan Gosling - "Drive" Woody Harrelson - "Rampart" Michael Shannon - "Take Shelter" DIRECTOR Michel Hazanavicius - "The Artist" Mike Mills - "Beginners" Jeff Nichols - "Take Shelter" Alexander Payne - "The Descendants" Nicolas Winding Refn - "Drive" FIRST FEATURE "Another Earth"Director: Mike Cahill Producers: Mike Cahill, Hunter Gray, Brit Marling, Nicholas Shumaker "In The Family"Director: Patrick Wang Producers: Robert Tonino, Andrew Van Den Houten, Patrick Wang "Margin Call"Director: J.C. Chandor Producers: Robert Ogden Barnum, Michael Benaroya, Neal Dodson, Joe Jenckes, Corey Moosa, Zachary Quinto "Martha Marcy May Marlene"Director: Sean Durkin Producers: Antonio Campos, Patrick Cunningham, Chris Maybach, Josh Mond "Natural Selection"Director: Robbie Pickering Producers: Brion Hambel, Paul Jensen FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS 2012FIND finds fresh Spirit guidesHonoreesPiaget Producer's Award | Audi Someone to Watch Award | Nokia Truer Than Fiction Award Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Broadway Box Office Grosses - Week Ending February. 19, 2012

Duncan Stewart, director of casting at National Artists Management Company, discusses opening every submission and what he really wants to see inside a headshot. casting Duncan Stewart headshot NY city open distribution Duncan Steward, director of casting, discusses what he wants from an actress inside a general meeting, mainly truth, likability, and insufficient ego. advice casting Duncan Stewart NY city tips Duncan Stewart, director of casting, discusses what he needs from an audition and customary mistakes stars make. advice auditions casting Duncan Stewart NY city Alaine Alldaffer stops working the actual role of the casting direcor. Alaine Alldaffer casting casting director Gray Gardens play stage theater Casting director Alaine Alldaffer discusses casting "Saved" and all sorts of myths about becoming an actor in NY City. Alaine Alldaffer casting director New york city theatre play saved NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes what stars have to know before walking into an audition. (Part a couple of) Bernie Telsey casting director We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about focusing on cleaning soap operas. (Part 1 of three) General Hospital Mark Teschner cleaning soap opera NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes how you can give your very best audition. (Part 2 of two) Bernie Telsey casting director We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about focusing on cleaning soap operas. Only need beautiful people apply? (Part 2 of three) General Hospital Mark Teshner cleaning soap opera We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about who audition for cleaning soap operas. (Part 3 of three) General Hospital Mark Teschner cleaning soap opera Videos for that Back Stage News & Features section.

U.K., German distribs nab 'Jackpot'

LONDON -- Germany's NFP as well as the U.K.'s Metrodome have developed distribution rights to Tarantino-esque action-comedy "Jackpot" within the European Film Market, where Magnus Martens' film made its market preem.Based on a geniune story by best-selling author Jo Nesbo, the pic was produced by Are Heidenstrom and Martin Sundland from Fantefilm Fiksjon. The shingle produced the "Cold Prey" horror-thriller trilogy, which is in publish-production with epic action-adventure "Escape.""Jackpot's" worldwide sales are addressed by TrustNordisk, which introduced sales for your fast-paced Icelandic thriller "Black's Game" to Germany's Koch Media, Benelux's Wild Bunch and Estonia's Estin Film. Oscar Thor Axelsson's debut feature, which carried out within the Rotterdam Film Festival, had formerly been acquired with the U.K.'s eOne and Swiss distrib Frenetic Films.TrustNordisk also introduced that undertaking a screening for customers from the promo for Thomas Vinterberg's "The Search," it had closed handles Arrow Films inside the U.K. and Wild Bunch for Benelux. The film, which stars Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen just like a guy wrongly accused by his neighborhood who must fight to obtain his existence in line, is at publish-production. It's produced by Sisse Graum Jorgensen and Morten Kaufmann for Zentropa with support within the Danish Film Institute and DR. Nordisk Film will handle local distribution. Contact Leo Barraclough at leo.barraclough@variety.com

Audition for Off-Broadway World Premiere of New '60s Musical

Telsey + Company is holding auditions on Wednesday, February 15 for the world premiere of "Dogfight," a new musical that will debut Off-Broadway at Second Stage Theatre in June.The show will be directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello ("Other Desert Cities," "9 to 5," "Wicked"), with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul ("A Christmas Story," "James and the Giant Peach") and a book by Peter Duchan. "Dogfight" was the winner of the 2011 Richards Rodgers Award for Musical Theatre. Set in the fall of 1963, "Dogfight" follows three young Marines on the eve of their deployment to Vietnam. The boys set out for one last night of debauchery. When Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress, he enlists her to win a cruel bet with his fellow recruits, and she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of compassion. The musical is based the 1991 film of the same name, starring River Phoenix as Eddie and Lili Taylor as Rose.Equity principal auditions will be held February 15 in NY City. For more information and audition details, visit BackStage.com. (Subscription required.) The casting directors are also accepting headshot and rsum submissions via email from actors who cannot attend these auditions.

'Piggy' draws in Metrodome

U.K. indie distrib Metrodome has acquired U.K. and Irish rights to helmer-scribe Kieron Hawkes' thriller "Piggy."Pic toplines Paul Anderson, Martin Compston, Neil Maskell and Louise Dylan.Leo Pearlman and Danny Potts result in the pic about Joe, a light-mannered youthful guy who, after his brother is wiped out, finds solace in Piggy, among his brother's pals. Their friendship evolves, Joe becomes progressively associated with a murky arena of violence and revenge.Deal was talked about by Metrodome mind of purchases Joel Kennedy and Pearlman. Genesis Film Sales is repping the film within the European Film Market.Earlier available on the market, Metrodome clicked on up rights to horror pic "Lovely Molly," which is skedded to create "In Darkness" in Blighty in March.Another acquisition, "A Royal Affair," will world preem at Berlin. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

The Civil Wars' Joy Williams Expecting Her First Child

Joy Williams and John Paul White Grammy winner Joy Williams is pregnant with her first child, The Civil Wars singer announced on Twitter Friday. "Beyond elated to share that [husband] Nate [Yetton] & I are expecting our first child in late June!!! My baby bump & I will see you on the red carpet," she wrote. Grammys: The best and worst performances Though she'll have to wait until June to bring home her baby, she and bandmate John Paul White brought home twins on Sunday night: Two shiny gold Grammys for Best Country Duo/Group Performance and Best Folk Album.

Music and recollections

Kim Kardashian and Britney Warrior warrior spears flank honoree Richard Branson within the Salute to Industry Symbols gala on Saturday. Clive Davis and Sean Hair hair combs speak onstage within the BevHilton. Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Gladys Dark evening, William McDowell and Carole King gather at Symbols gala. Chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M Jimmy Iovine and producer Dr. Dre attend Clive Davis as well as the Recording Academy's 2012 Pre-GRAMMY Gala and Salute to Industry Symbols Adoring Richard Branson.Alicia Secrets sings at Symbols gala. Chairman and Boss of Universal Group Lucian Grainge and producer Nigel Lygothe.Berry Gordy and Diana Ross reteam at Symbols gala. Blake Shelton and Dwight Yoakam at Symbols gala Rusty Anderson, Paul McCartney, Dork Grohl and John Ray help raise $6.5 million for MusiCares, which will help artists in need of funds. Tally surpassed last year's $4.7 million record. Doug Morris, Leslie Moonves and Neil Portnow at MusiCares James McCartney and Yoko Ono at MusiCares Katy Perry works at MusiCares. Kim and Glen Campbell within the Wilshire Ebell The pre-Grammy parties started Friday while using MusiCares Person of year event. And permit Paul McCartney to upstage their very own tribute, breaking tradition for just about any MusiCares honoree by opening the show getting a rousing rendition of "Magical Mystery Tour," a suitable intro for the McCartney songbook which will assume new definition with every artist who came out onstage. Coldplay completed "We Could Settle Your DifferencesInch as if it were a plea for world peace Katy Perry attracted on her behalf inner torch singer with "Hey Jude" Neil Youthful and Crazy Equine slowed down lower "I Saw Her Standing There" with a loping, grubby gate and Norah Jones' smokey delivery on "Oh Darling" aided prompt McCartney to comment later about "every one of these fantastic artists putting nuances on tunes which i didn't know are there.In . On Saturday, news of Whitney Houston's dying will be a startling coda to have an already emotional mid-day since the Grammy Special Honours honored several tales within the Wilshire Ebell. Recording Academy prexy Neil Portnow predicted, "You will notice tears today," but he'd not a clue how true this really is.From Glen Campbell's courage when faced with Alzheimer's for the tear-filled acceptance speech from Wayne Jackson in the honored Memphis Horns as well as the onstage presence in the categories of such luminaries as recording engineer Roger Nichols and producer-songwriter Dork Bartholomew, storied careers were poignantly celebrated. Diana Ross pointed to her five children onstage and mentioned, "The children are my lifetime achievement." And Allman Brothers and sisters Band founding member Gregg Allman alluded to his past by watching, "Music does soothe the savage animal" although stating his determination being "back on the road again, making music."An ashen-faced Portnow rushed in the Wilshire Ebell only moments following a ceremony ended to grapple while using acad's response to Houston's passing.Gossips swirled that Clive Davis' annual Salute to Industry Symbols might be canceled, nevertheless the show ongoing. Davis devoted Saturday's event within the BevHilton to Houston's memory, and began the evening getting a minute of silence. Tony Bennett came a standing ovation while using night's first number, "How Will You Keep the Music Playing." A subdued solo version of "Essentially Had You" by Diana Krall was been effective by somber speeches by Portnow and Sean Hair hair combs. And Alicia Secrets appreciated practicing Houston's early hit "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" before one just like a girl, and mentioned the late singer increased being a person "barometer that you wanted for and wanted for and imagined of." Elsewhere your evening, the sixth Annual Primary Wave Music Pre-Grammy Party happened within the SLS Hotel, together with a beyond-capacity crowd collected to find out perfs by Airborne Toxic Event, Alien Ant Farm, Natasha Bedingfield and Cee Lo Eco-friendly. "What exactly can I believe that which has not lately been mentioned in regards to the great Whitney Houston?" asked for Eco-friendly. "She was eloquent and incredibly influential in my opinion which is so tragic because it am without warning. She shined along with her beauty and talent.Inch(Christopher Morris and Erin Maxwell brought with this report.) Contact Steve Chagollan at steve.chagollan@variety.com

Lubezki nabs top prize at ASC Awards

In a continuation of his awards dominance in feature cinematography this year, Emmanuel Lubezki, the d.p. behind "The Tree of Life," nabbed the top prize at the 26th annual American Society of Cinematographers' kudofest on Sunday night at the Hollywood and Highland Grand Ballroom.Lubezki's photography on the Terrence Malick film has nearly swept the critics organizations' d.p. laurels so far, including the big three: The Los Angeles Film Critics Assn., the NY Film Critics Circle and the National Society of Film Critics.Since the ASC inaugurated its awards ceremony in 1986, the invitation-only org's winners and those of the Academy have overlapped 10 times, including four out of the last six years. Lubezki won the ASC award previously for 2007's "Children of Men," and is Oscar-nominated this year for "Tree of Life."Other winners included Jonathan Freeman for the "21" episode of "Boardwalk Empire" ("21") for one-hour Episodic Television Series/Pilot; Martin Ruhe, who earned top honors for PBS' "Page Eight" in television movie/miniseries; and in the inaugural Episodic Series or Pilot category, Michael Weaver claimed the prize for Showtime's "Californication" ("Suicide Solution").Dante Spinotti accepted the Lifetime Achievement laurel from director Michael Mann, with whom he worked on "Heat" and "Public Enemies," among other films. Other honorary kudos were handed to Harrison Ford (Board of Goverors award), whose reel included d.p. touchstones "Apocalypse Now" and "Bladerunner" and who gave a special shoutout to dolly grips; Francis Kenny (President's award), who uses the Red Epic camera on "Justiified" and described his acceptance into the ASC as entering into "the school of advanced visual metaphors"; William Wages (Career Achievement in TV) and Fred Godfrey (Bud Stone Award of Distinction). Contact Steve Chagollan at steve.chagollan@variety.com

The Berlin Film Festival: Why Still It Matters for Hollywood

The Berlin Film Festival: Why Still It Matters for Hollywood By Scott Roxborough Feb 7, 2012 Photo by Berlin Worldwide Film Festival It can be the elements. It can be the frigid Berlin winter that inspires experts to repeat exactly the same bitter litany every year concerning the Berlinale, that you will find no stars, not good films, no new ideas.Several wags known as 2011's fest "the worst Berlinale ever." Really? A festival that incorporated Wim Wenders' groundbreaking three dimensional documentary "Pina," J.C. Chandor's furious financial drama "Margin Call" and the astounding Iranian film "A Separation" -- which selected up Oscar nominations on Jan. 24?Once the 62nd Berlinale opens February. 9, expect the experts to become just as disgruntled. And merely as wrong. Berlin's broad, eclectic buying process causes it to be harder to choose which game titles would be the large outbreaks, but because of the festival's history, you will see some. A mix portion of possible standouts includes china imperial epic "Whitened Deer Plain" from Golden Bear champion Wang Quan'an ("Tuya's Marriage") "Home for that Weekend," a shattered-family drama in the always excellent German helmer Hendes-Christian Schmid ("Requiem") and Billy Bob Thornton's sixties period drama "Jayne Mansfield's Vehicle," featuring John Hurt, Kevin Sausage, Robert Duvall and Thornton themself.Not one of them, however, will probably go back home using the Golden Bear. Berlin juries reserve the very best prize for politically flavored cinema, so a betting guy would put his chips on Brillante Mendoza's "Taken" (about people from other countries kidnapped by Filipino terrorists), Benedek Fliegauf's gypsy-focused thriller "Only the Wind" or Kim Nguyen's "Rebelle," which follows Komona, a 14-year-old soldier in Africa who's expecting a young child.There will not considerably studio muscle on show in Berlin this season -- Warner Bros.' "Very Noisy & Incredibly Close," directed by Stephen Daldry, and Jason Reitman's "Youthful Adult" from Vital would be the only studio game titles screening, neither of these in competition. But Berlin never continues to be a studio launchpad and, because the Oscar nominations gone to live in mid-The month of january in 2004, the studios' prestige films are beginning earlier around, to the advantage of the autumn fests and hindrance of Berlin. "Moneyball" bowed in Toronto, "The Descendants" in Telluride and "Hugo" inside a surprise screening in the NY Film Festival. A more compact studio presence means less stars, so Berlin has needed to get creative to ensure sufficient red-colored-carpet wattage. Because the only public festival of Europe's large three (Cannes and Venice are industry-only), Berlin needs its stars.Festival director Dieter Kosslick has had to brushing the indie ranks for more compact features, frequently directorial debuts, with large-title casts. Which means this year, Berlin has got the world premiere of "Bel Ami," a period piece from first-timers Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod that counts Taylor Lautner, Christina Ricci, Uma Thurman and Kristin Scott Thomas among its A-list talent James Marsh's Sundance entry "Shadow Dancer" with Clive Owen and Gillian Anderson and Steven Soderbergh's "Haywire," featuring Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender and Antonio Banderas. Julia Roberts will attend a unique screening of her directorial debut, "Within the Land of Bloodstream and Honey," and Meryl Streep will receive a pre-Oscar Golden Bear in recognition of her life's work.For that industry, however, Berlin's real draw is its market. Again offered out and reserved solid, Berlin's European Film Marketplace is forecasted to become a blockbuster, a minimum of in comparison using the staid and low-volume American Film Market in November.Pre-buys of in-development projects is going to be in which the large cash is, but expect a brisk business in pick-ups of finished films -- particularly the more audience-friendly fare that screens in Berlin's Decades and Panorama sidebars. In Panorama, be careful for "Iron Sky," as well as-over-blown, lengthy- in-development Finnish "Nazis wideInch spoof, and "Cherry," an indie drama featuring Louise Graham like a porno film director and James Franco like a coke-addled lawyer.If this all systems February. 19, the experts likely will say it had been a weak Berlinale and talk in the "amazing" selection going to Cannes. The, meanwhile, will prove to add up its deal memos and prebook Berlin's Grand Hyatt for 2013. The Hollywood Reporter The Berlin Film Festival: Why Still It Matters for Hollywood By Scott Roxborough Feb 7, 2012 PHOTO CREDIT Berlin Worldwide Film Festival It can be the elements. It can be the frigid Berlin winter that inspires experts to repeat exactly the same bitter litany every year concerning the Berlinale, that you will find no stars, not good films, no new ideas.Several wags known as 2011's fest "the worst Berlinale ever." Really? A festival that incorporated Wim Wenders' groundbreaking three dimensional documentary "Pina," J.C. Chandor's furious financial drama "Margin Call" and also the astounding Iranian film "A Separation" -- which acquired Oscar nominations on Jan. 24?Once the 62nd Berlinale opens February. 9, expect the experts to become just like disgruntled. And merely as wrong. Berlin's broad, eclectic buying process causes it to be harder to choose which game titles would be the large outbreaks, but because of the festival's history, you will see some. A mix portion of possible standouts includes china imperial epic "Whitened Deer Plain" from Golden Bear champion Wang Quan'an ("Tuya's Marriage") "Home for that Weekend," a shattered-family drama in the always excellent German helmer Hendes-Christian Schmid ("Requiem") and Billy Bob Thornton's sixties period drama "Jayne Mansfield's Vehicle," featuring John Hurt, Kevin Sausage, Robert Duvall and Thornton themself.Not one of them, however, will probably go back home using the Golden Bear. Berlin juries reserve the very best prize for politically flavored cinema, so a betting guy would put his chips on Brillante Mendoza's "Taken" (about people from other countries kidnapped by Filipino terrorists), Benedek Fliegauf's gypsy-focused thriller "Only the Wind" or Kim Nguyen's "Rebelle," which follows Komona, a 14-year-old soldier in Africa who's expecting a young child.There will not considerably studio muscle on show in Berlin this season -- Warner Bros.' "Very Noisy & Incredibly Close," directed by Stephen Daldry, and Jason Reitman's "Youthful Adult" from Vital would be the only studio game titles screening, neither of these competing. But Berlin never continues to be a studio launchpad and, because the Oscar nominations gone to live in mid-The month of january in 2004, the studios' prestige films are beginning earlier around, to the advantage of the autumn fests and hindrance of Berlin. "Moneyball" bowed in Toronto, "The Descendants" in Telluride and "Hugo" inside a surprise screening in the NY Film Festival. A more compact studio presence means less stars, so Berlin has needed to get creative to make sure sufficient red-colored-carpet wattage. Because the only public festival of Europe's large three (Cannes and Venice are industry-only), Berlin needs its stars.Festival director Dieter Kosslick has had to brushing the indie ranks for more compact features, frequently directorial debuts, with large-title casts. Which means this year, Berlin has got the world premiere of "Bel Ami," a period of time piece from first-timers Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod that counts Taylor Lautner, Christina Ricci, Uma Thurman and Kristin Scott Thomas among its A-list talent James Marsh's Sundance entry "Shadow Dancer" with Clive Owen and Gillian Anderson and Steven Soderbergh's "Haywire," featuring Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender and Antonio Banderas. Julia Roberts will attend a unique screening of her directorial debut, "Within the Land of Bloodstream and Honey," and Meryl Streep will receive a pre-Oscar Golden Bear in recognition of her life's work.For that industry, however, Berlin's real draw is its market. Again offered out and reserved solid, Berlin's European Film Marketplace is forecasted to become a blockbuster, a minimum of in comparison using the staid and low-volume American Film Market in November.Pre-buys of in-development projects is going to be in which the large cash is, but expect a brisk business in pick-ups of finished films -- particularly the more audience-friendly fare that screens in Berlin's Decades and Panorama sidebars. In Panorama, be careful for "Iron Sky," as well as-over-blown, lengthy- in-development Finnish "Nazis wideInch spoof, and "Cherry," an indie drama featuring Louise Graham like a porno film director and James Franco like a coke-addled lawyer.If this all systems February. 19, the experts likely will say it had been an inadequate Berlinale and talk in the "amazing" selection going to Cannes. The, meanwhile, will prove to add up its deal memos and prebook Berlin's Grand Hyatt for 2013. The Hollywood Reporter