Grammy Awards: Complete List of Nominees

In the rap world a hustler is somebody who uses his street smarts to rake in big bucks. If that means dealing drugs or weapons, pimping out women, and other activities generally frowned upon by law enforcement officials, so be it.our editor recommendsT.I. Debuts First Track Since Prison Release (Audio)T.I. Makes Surprise Appearance at Taylor Swift Concert (Video)T.I. Released From Prison, Gets VH1 Reality Show There's little doubt that Clifford Harris, a.k.a. T.I., ranks up high in the annals of hustlerdom. The self-described "King of the South," T.I. boasts the kind of rap sheet no mother could love, starting with a 1997 arrest for cocaine dealing. So frequent were his run-ins with the law over the ensuing 13 years, it's a wonder that TIP (why stop at one alias?) had any time left over to pursue a music career. But Harris not only managed to release 7 successful albums, he also founded his own label, Grand Hustle Records, and even tried his hand at acting in the films Takers and ATL. Alas, the hustling life began catching up with T.I. in 2009, when he was sentenced to jail for purchasing automatic weapons in violation of his parole. In 2010, shortly after his release from a halfway house, Harris was sent back to prison for 10 months after police discovered a cache of ecstasy, codeine and pot in his vehicle following a traffic stop. But that was then. Now, not quite three months since his release from a federal lock-up, we're led to believe in VH1's new series T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle, Harris has finally figured out his life priorities. "You know, at the end of the day, the most important things to me in the world, God, family, hustle, in that order," T.I. tells the camera following a lead-in montage of clips detailing his recent legal woes. The real conflict of the show concerns how Harris balances work and family during his first few weeks back home. Tameka "Tiny" Harris, the co-star of what turns out to be a surprisingly banal drama, has stood by her man throughout his prison stints, looking after the six children that the couple has between them (four from past relationships) at the couple's lavish Atlanta mansion. "These past ten years we've been together, he's been gone almost three," Tiny says in a cut-away interview. "This has to be the last time." Tiny spends much of the first episode looking forward to jump-starting her sex life with T.I. "Get naked and get in the bed," Tiny tells T.I. as their 3-year-old son, Major, plays next to them in the bedroom. T.I. does his best to re-establish order in the home, admonishing Tiny for having taken over his side of the bathroom vanity with her perfume bottles, and teaching Major to keep his shoes off in a living room with all white furnishings. "Go draw my water, woman!" he orders her with a forceful spank. Their banter is playful enough, but belies a relationship in which a clear power dynamic has long ago been established. "Ain't I been to jail enough times for you to know how to treat me when I come home?" T.I. asks. "I don't want to hear that," Tiny responds as she heads to the bathroom to fill the bathtub. Executive Producers Cris Abrego (Flavor of Love), Christian Sarabia (Same Name), Rabih Gholam (The Surreal Life), and Ben Samek (Rock of Love) know that T.I.'s legion of fans will be drawn to yet another glimpse inside their rap hero's inner sanctum. And with dozens of reality shows chronicling the private lives of pop stars - from Why Not? With Shania Twain to Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business - there's a solid case to be made that audiences prefer this sort of moment-by-moment intimacy over the more detached career retrospective found on Behind the Music. To be sure, in some sense, all of reality television is an act of self-promotion, and for T.I., a guy who has spent his life bragging about being a hustler, it's no great revelation to learn that his latest venture is a thinly-disguised, and often boring attempt to get him back into the public eye. "That's priority number one: Get hot and get paid. I mean, after staying out of jail, of course." T.I. tells his manager and Hollywood agent at the recording studio. In other words, the hustle is officially back on. Takers T.I.

Hollywood Insurance supporters Say Theyre Prepared To Compromise On Anti-Piracy Legislation

The key supporters of legislation to fight overseas internet sites that traffic in unlicensed entertainment state that they’re ready to address some legislators’ concerns about potential risks to legitimate Internet companies. “I think you’ll see some movement,” states Michael O’Leary, MPAA’s Senior Executive V . P . for Global Policy and Exterior Matters. But he adds it most likely won’t be sufficient to prevent tech companies from opposing the balance — known in the home because the Stop Online Piracy Act as well as in the Senate as Safeguard IP Act. A number of them “have no aim of saying yes” to some compromise, he states, simply because they “want the present condition of play to carry on.” Your comments ought to arrived a briefing that incorporated the Company directors Guild of America and also the Worldwide Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Worker’s Union. They’re wanting to communicatethe industry’s causes of supporting the legislation that will give federal authorities the legal right to block overseas internet sites that sell copyrighted work with no proprietors’ permission. “Our opposition doesn't feel restricted with a need in truth,” states Kathy Garmezy, DGA’s Connect Executive Director for Goverment and Worldwide Matters. Tech companies who state that SOPA might violate civil protections, she adds,are basically trying “to gin people up right into a craze.” That seems to become working. The balance has “a large amount of hurdles” to beat, O’Leary states — although he adds that “we will win this argument around the merits.” He blasted an alternate idea, which Google supports, to simply police transactions which involve unlicensed content. “There aren't any (concrete) plans,” O’Leary states. “It’s a pretext for drained the time.” Younger crowd challenged Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Or) that has threatened to filibuster the legislation. “We don’t believe he's the votes” required to keep that going, O’Leary states. The Federal government hasn't formally taken a situation on SOPA, but O’Leary states that V . P . Joe Biden and Secretary of Condition Hillary Clinton make “encouraging claims.” Garmezy states the bill would save jobs by safeguarding home video sales of movies and television shows. “That’s what digital thievery destroys,” she states.

Golden Globes TV Predictions from THR's Tim Goodman

This article first appeared in the Dec. 2 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.our editor recommendsDisney's ESPN Head George Bodenheimer to Drop Day-to-Day Duties Jan. 1ESPN Analyst Drops F-Bomb on Live Television (Video)Penn State Scandal: Advertisers Bail on ESPN Broadcast I don't care what anybody says, I'm not afraid to try shit," says Bill Simmons, reclining at his desk in his sparsely decorated downtown Los Angeles office. In this case, Simmons, 42, whose wit, humor and often irreverent Sports Guy column have turned him into the most prominent sportswriter in the country, is referring to Grantland, the ESPN-backed site he launched in June. By September, the site -- a mix of intellectuals pontificating on the entertainment triumvirate of sports, pop culture and Hollywood -- was luring 2.4 million unique visitors a month, according to ComScore. It's quite an addition to the Boston native and former AOL blogger's portfolio, which boasts two best-selling books, the Peabody-winning 30 for 30 documentary series, 1.5 million Twitter followers and a collection of B.S. Report podcasts that are each downloaded about 750,000 times. The married father of two, who moved to Los Angeles to write for Jimmy Kimmel Live! and maintains legions of Hollywood fans who appreciate his ability to compare a game to an episode of The Wire (these days, he's even recapping TV shows), sat down to discuss his vision for Grantland, his Hollywood gripes and his tentative plan to add "TV star" to his résumé. The Hollywood Reporter: Why did you decide to do Grantland? Bill Simmons: I had spent three years working on this book, and I was hitting 40, and I was like, "What do I want to do long-term?" I always wanted to create a site that was sports and pop culture. 30 for 30 had a big impact because I loved how that was about finding, empowering and working with these incredible directors, and I thought the same thing could work for writers. I researched different sites and looked through all of my favorite magazines and tried to find people who were on their way up. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Biggest Fantasy Football Fans THR: How did you convince ESPN to fund it? Simmons: Simple -- I would have done it with somebody else. My contract still had 10 months to go, and we started talking about it, and I said: "I want to figure this out, and I want to do it here. But once we get to the end of those 10 months, I'm still going to do it." THR: Podcasts are a big focus for you. Is there a real business there? Simmons: Yes. I think we can cut them into TV shows, and I think ESPN and ESPN 2 can run them. That's why we built the studio to do half-hour shows or hourlong shows or whatever. THR: So you're planning to turn your podcast interviews into half-hour sit-down interview shows? Simmons: Yeah. If you look at the ESPN schedule, there are a lot of times where, say, a Game 7 fell through, or they thought a game was going to happen and it doesn't. Or right now, where they thought they'd have all of these NBA games that they don't have. They have time, and if you have evergreen content you can give them, they're going to run it if it's good. THR: As far as guests go, who's on the wish list? Simmons: I think the best podcasts we've done have been ones where people are smart. I did a podcast with Ticketmaster CEO [Nathan Hubbard], which I thought was great. I'd love to have Aaron Sorkin on. Larry David would be really fun. Anybody who has created a great show -- David Simon or Matthew Weiner. I can always get commissioners and sports people, but I'd like to dive into Hollywood a little more. I'm approaching it a little differently. I think when they do industry interviews, it's always "inside baseball." This is going to be a good conversation. THR: What else do you want to do with Grantland that you haven't yet? Simmons: We talk about it as though there are TV seasons. Season one, which we just finished, was about not going down in flames, building an audience and hiring a full staff, which we didn't have until Labor Day. We have four more hires to make, then we'll be done at about 16 total. Season two is continuing to get writers. One of the things that I was hoping would happen right away was getting celebrities to write for us. Any time a celebrity who can actually write wants to write something, they do it for the Huffington Post, which pisses me off. THR: In May, before Grantland launched, you said in an interview that you weren't sure you'd create the site if you had to do it over again. Still feel that way? Simmons: It was probably the worst possible time for me to have done an interview. We were launching in four weeks, and we weren't ready, and I could potentially go down in flames. Look, we launched before we should have, and we didn't have enough people. We also had people watching us and were hypercritical the first few weeks -- which I didn't think was totally fair, but I get it. The same thing happened when we launched Jimmy's show. You get judged by your first week when you should get judged by your 30th week. Jimmy's show didn't even start to become the show that it is now until 18 months in. He can say all he wants, but he's full of shit. (Laughs.) You learn, and you make mistakes. It just seems like people are afraid to try things. Related Topics ESPN 1 2 next last

Will Ferrell, Will Forte Jokes Before USC-UCLA Competition Football Game

The is, of course, abuzz inside the impending USC-UCLA match-on November. 26 within the Coliseum. As THR reviews in this week's print edition, Trojan viruses infections and Bruin ties have long-term deep, whether as you're watching camera or possibly within the art galleries' executive offices.our editor recommendsHollywood's Finest Fantasy Football FansFantasy Football's $1 Billion-a-Year Business, 27 Million Players: 'It's a Sickness' PHOTOS: Hollywood's Finest Fantasy Football Fans USC grads include George Lucas, Judd Apatow and Bryan Lourd, while UCLA grads change from Francis Ford Coppola and Stacey Snider to Jack Black. Two more alums just couldn't help but spar if the found speaking in regards to the opposing schools inside our story on L.A.'s crosstown collegiate competition: UCLA GRAD WILL FORTE: "I don't really interact with USC fans. A specific type of person goes there -- they aren't good people.They're very entitled, the type of person who will not retain the door with an old lady. They'll deliberately walk a blind person into traffic. That's everything you're coping with only at that school." USC GRAD WILL FERRELL RESPONDS: "It's funny -- since USC surpassed UCLA inside the U.S. News & World Report rankings, there's been an anxiety among the Bruin faithful. We've always maintained sports dominance, now there are academic brilliance, you just possess a pity party for those who have anything associated with UCLA." Related Subjects Will Ferrell Will Forte Sports

Tom Hanks together with other self-censored stars

HanksDiCaprioThe time-hallowed institution known to as celebrity interview seems ready for your endangered list. With stars growing increasingly more careful concerning the media, last week's imbroglio including Brett Ratner underscored once again the potential risks connected having a misstep at any time of political correctness.Only throughout honours season do stars dare to discuss a stray moment of candor. It absolutely was refreshing the other day to hear the ever-careful Leonardo DiCaprio critique opposition to gay marriage to be able to learn Clint Eastwood's rejection in the "personhood" movement -- "Don't produce that sanctity garbage."The publication from the memoir could also bring lower the walls of caution. In "However," the infamously private Diane Keaton unveils her "highlight reel" of past fanatics: She found Warren Beatty "romantic and extremely kind" but she was astonished by her first Mel Gibson hug and ultimately made a decision that Al Pacino was "the adoration for my existence." However, her discussion of Woodsy Allen is a lot more structurally detailed -- "I loved his body he's beautiful."OK, that's what memoirs are only concerned with. But also for Keaton to talk about her romantic past has come about as an unpredicted. Throughout her previous interviews, when asked for about Beatty, she'd usually request, "Warren who?" At 65, Keaton, a very gracious person, is talking about two kids just like a single mother and clearly going through her new writing career.Tom Hanks, another veteran in the interview circuit, probably wouldn't match her candor. He went up to now regarding write a survival guide for fellow stars, which came out in Entertainment Weekly. Calling the circuit "the celebrity mule train," Hanks indicates that co-employees "prepare some apparent solutions" that might be recited no less than 30 occasions in the given day. It's OK presenting small versions, states Hanks, but stars must stick to message and really should keep telling themselves, "This is often accomplished for any handful of more days, can't you?"The Hanks mandate might make sense today, nevertheless it may have made an appearance alien for the stars from the generation ago. I did so my first "star interviews" within the '60s (I used to be lately turned up around just like a reporter for your NY Occasions and would never know better) and, sorting through my old clips recently, I used to be surprised about the candor displayed by stars of the era.Cary Grant, throughout one meeting, offered us a half-hour lecture round the pleasures of losing acidity. Walter Matthau informed me he wouldn't attempt speaking unless of course obviously I certain to explain him in guides as "the Ukrainian Gary Grant." Paul Newman, when asked for about his latest movie, responded: "Why discuss Hollywood garbage when you be talking about Vietnam?" We did. Natalie Wood, getting just finished shooting a movie, complained "I've made 40 movies in 22 years beginning from age 5, without any you've ever given me the chance to acquire a decent education." She mentioned she wanted only to talk about the author she was now reading through through, T.S. Eliot (I panicked, getting dozed through my only Eliot lecture). Steve McQueen, who was simply under instruction with the studio to sing the glories of "Sand Pebbles," that have been shot in Taiwan, rather ranted, "Anything I ever did wrong around, I taken proper care of on Taiwan. The baddest bad scene ever."If stars frequently rejected to stay on message, the business symbols throughout your day may be equally edgy. Relaxing in the commissary, Wally Disney mentioned that his chief of publicity wanted him only to discuss Disneyland, but he wearily described, "I enjoy say what's in my mind." He ongoing: "Individuals are trying to push me into making Don Quixote, but I'd rather not. I figure we'll be crucified inside the Latin nations once we do not understand it correctly. I obtained trapped into Alice's adventures in wonderland against my better judgment also it might be a dreadful disappointment. I loved the illustrations inside the book, however never exactly died laughing inside the story. It's tough to translate whimsy for the screen."Walt's conclusion: "I really do best sticking to my own, personal instincts and my own, personal tales." He apologized if he made an appearance inflammed. "Is One Able To offer you my very own tour of Disneyland?" he asked for.I'd trouble thinking it over before accepting.None of current day studio chiefs would talk to Walt's blunt candor. I even doubt if any provides an excursion. n Peter Bart peter.bart@variety.comvariety.com/bart Contact Peter Bart at peter.bart@variety.com

Natalie Wood's Sister Makes First TV Appearance on 'Piers Morgan Tonight' (Video)

Natalie Wood's sister, Lana Wood, has broken her silence. Lana appeared on Piers Morgan Tonight on Friday, Nov. 18 to speak out for the first time since her sister's case was reopened by the Los Angeles Police Department. In the interview, Lana recounts her earlier interactions with yacht captain Dennis Davern and offers her thoughts on the new investigation. PHOTOS: Natalie Wood Remembered "He's been trying to say something for quite a number of years," she said of Davern. "He used to call me quite frequently, about 10 years after Natalie passed, and tell me bits and pieces in a very agitated manner -- very upset, crying -- that there was more to it than he said, and how guilty he felt." Davern appeared on both NBC's Today show and CNN earlier in the day, in which he discussed his 2009 book, Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour. In his recollection of that fateful night, Davern implies that Wood's then-husband Robert Wagner may have been involved in her death, citing a late night fight and Wagner's request that Davern not turn on the boat's search light following Wood's disappearance. PHOTOS: 12 of Hollywood's Most Mysterious Deaths Neither Wagner nor Christopher Walken, who was also aboard the boat that night, are being treated as suspects in the investigation. "I know that the Sheriff's department, the homicide division, is taking this all very seriously," Lana said. "I think what's important is not what I think happened or someone else thinks happened, I think it's important to get to the bottom of what actually did happen. And I think that's what they should be allowed to do." In a chilling sound bite, Lana concluded with, "Only RJ and Natalie know, and only one of them can speak." Watch the appearance below. Natalie Wood Robert Wagner

PBS' Woodsy Allen Documentary Spotlights His Influences and Effects on Martin Scorsese, Chris Rock (Exclusive Video)

Browse the exclusive clips above and below and find out should you don't accept THR's Tim Goodman that Robert Weide's Woodsy Allen: A Documentary, which airs on PBS' American Masters series November. 20 and 21, is "fascinating, funny and informative."our editor recommendsAFM 2011: Robert Weide's 'Woody Allen: A Documentary' Sells U.S. DVD, Digital Privileges to New VideoWoody Allen Changes Title of Next FilmJennifer Aniston 'Holds Her Own' Pointing Against Martin Scorsese, Woodsy Allen, States Actress Patricia ClarksonProducer Recalls Challenges of creating PBS' Woodsy Allen Doc A couple of soreheads have complained it's not revealing enough concerning the elusive auteur's existence, also it's correct that Weide doesn't devote enough time to Allen's once-scandalous affair with Mia Farrow's adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn and what Allen stated Farrow known to because the "grotesque publicity circus" that adopted. PHOTOS: Costume Types of 'Midnight in Paris' But Woodsy and shortly-Yi celebrate the 15th anniversary of the marriage and also the 20th anniversary of the romance the coming year (he spent 12 years with Farrow). And that we get glimpses of Farrow's indelible performances in Allen's films, and experience from a lot of associates, including Allen's costar and ex-wife Louise Lasser and costar and ex Diane Keaton (whose new memoir partially concerns Allen). Plus, you will find pictures of him andHarlene Rosen, his teenage sweetheart and first wife, and the funniest standup comedy bit about her (they made the decision to obtain a divorce rather than a holiday, because "a vacation to Bermuda has ended in 2 days, but the divorce a person always has.Inch). PHOTOS: Woodsy Allen Over time Granted, Allen did shockingly meaner jokes about Harlene, and she or he prosecuted him, which's not within the doc. A genuine hpv warts and all sorts of doc might have grime such as this. However it's amazing that Weide got Allen to spread out up around he did -- even letting him film a Woodsy Allen movie happening. Should you don't such as the results, sue him. However, you virtually need to watch Weide's film to become conversant with Woodsy Allen's amazingly precocious ascent and publish-scandal rebound to the top movie game. Not since Philip Roth has there been this type of comeback after this type of distinguished first act. "The ardor [for Woodsy Allen] that when burned hot within the breasts from the Occasions and also the national experts has at best cooled, and also at worst been extinguished," authored Peter Biskind in Vanity Fair in 2005. "Possibly it's for top that Allen hasn't [been] named a united states Master on PBS." Wrong! Such a difference six years, a masterpiece or two, and also the greatest hit in Woodsy Allen history (the Oscar-buzzed Night time in Paris) make! Related Subjects Woodsy Allen

Regis Philbin States Goodbye: A Movie Tribute

If youve ever seen daytime or late-evening TV its probably youve seen Regis Philbin to use it hes been a ongoing presence there in the last several decades. Today he gained his final appearance as co-host of Live! With Regis and Kelly (formerly Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee) its a gig hes had in the last 28 years. Though Reeg is most carefully associated with television (hes inside the Guinness Book of World Records for several hours drenched round the air), hes also made many film looks over time. Listed below are five notable ones, in chronological order. 1. Whatever You Always Aspired To Discover Sex (But Were Afraid To Request) In this early Woodsy Allen film, Regis appears just like a celebrity panelist in the amusing game show spoof referred to as What's My Perversion?. 2. Unhealthy News Bears Visit Japan Regis stood a small role in this third and final original Bears flick, memorable (in my opinion anyway) only for the unbearably cheesy romance between Jackie Earle Haleys character together with a modest local girl. 3. Little Nicky In this Adam Sandler vehicle, a brand new boy of Satan together with a speaking dog watch an evil version of Regis on tv while eating Popeyes fried chicken. 4. Shrek The Next and Shrek Forever After In the somewhat brilliant casting move, Regis was selected to voice Mabel the Ugly Stepsister. 5. Jack And Jill Another Sandler collaboration: inside the opening moments from the flick, Regis sometimes seems shooting a Pepto Bismol commercial - doubly ironic, due to the films dismal reviews. Leave your fond goodbyes to Regis inside the comments section and also on Twitter!

Family Guy On 9/11 Attack: Allow It To Happen

No subject is taboo for Fox’s Family Guy, and Seth MacFarlane & Co. demonstrated it again tonight by dealing with the worst terrorist attack ever on American soil, the occasions of September 11, 2001. Within the episode, John and Stewie use Stewie’s time machine to return and stop the 9/11 hijackings. TVLine has particulars around the story but, in a nutshell, John’s efforts backfire and result in a Civil War, so he and Stewie keep delivering clones of themselves in time to try and fix the error until all they meet up to election whether or not to stop 9/11 or allow it to happen. The second wins, resulting in a round of high-fives. Unlike Family Guy‘s infamous abortion episode that didn’t reach air but was carried out live and launched on DVD, the 9/11 one squeaked beyond the Fox standards and practices department but will certainly raise as numerous eye brows because it airs two several weeks following the tenth anniversary of 9/11.

Take advantage of Kardashian Talks Dancing Semifinals & His Junk Food Diet

First Released: November 11, 2011 10:32 AM EST Credit: Access Hollywood Caption Take advantage of Kardashian Talks Which Makes It Towards The Dancing Final Four La, Calif. -- When Take advantage of Kardashian first joined your competition on Dwts, his only goal ended up being to remain on more than his older sister, Kim Kardashian, who had been the 3rd star to exit the ballroom in Season 7. Now, though, the truth star is competing for that large prize in Season 13, and that he wants America to understand he and Cheryl Burke have large things ahead because they prepare for next days semifinal round. Were only enhancing and that we havent even hit our peak yet, Take advantage of told Access Hollywood on Thursday because he and Cheryl practiced in La. Take advantage of continues to be searching more well developed in the samba pants on each successive week of DWTS, but he demands he hasnt been altering up his diet to decrease the pounds. I haven't transformed my diet a single bit throughout the show, he revealed. I literally have Dominos or Pizza Hut or junk food maybe five from 7 days each week. His diet might not have been through a radical change, however the Maintaining using the Kardashians star stated hes amazed at his transformation on the program. I'd no dance experience [after i began this show]. I am not a artist, dancer, singer Im literally an average person, Take advantage of stated. To become here and were in Week 9 now? Its pretty awesome. Take advantage of will compete against Hope Solo, Ricki Lake and J.R. Martinez on Mondays DWTS at 8/7 C on ABC. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

CNBC's Republican Presidential Debate Draws 3.3 Million

CNBC's broadcast of the Republican debate with the presidential hopefuls averaged 3.3 million total viewers from 8-10 p.m. on Wednesday night, according to Nielsen.our editor recommendsCNN's Republican Debate Draws 5.5 Million ViewersRick Perry Presents Top 10 List on 'Late Show' in Wake of Debate 'Oops' (Video) The Your Money, Your Vote debate from Oakland University in Rochester, Mich. hosted by Maria Bartiromo, John Harwood and a slew of CNBC personalities featured Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman and Rick Santorum, drew nearly 1 million viewers in the core adults 25-54 demographic. Compared to the most recent GOP debate, which aired Oct. 18 on CNN, CNBC's debate -- complete with Perry's memorable "oops" remark after blanking on an answer to a question -- was behind by more than 2 million viewers (3.3 million vs. 5.5 million). Fox News Channel's debate on Sept. 22 averaged 6.1 million, still the most-watched thus far this season. Though CNBC, a financial news network, is well behind Fox News Channel and CNN's debates, its ratings during the two-hour period is above average for the channel. During 8-10 p.m., CNBC was the top-rated cable network in total viewers and ranked second in 25-54 behind the USA Network. Related Topics TV Ratings

Seville celebrates Russian cinema

SEVILLE -- The 8th edition of the Seville European Film Festival, Europe's main dedicated showcase for the continent's films, is throwing the spotlight on recent Russian Cinema. Bowing Friday, and running through Nov. 11, fest will screen new features, shorts and docu films from young and vet Russian filmmakers. Two Russian pics, Andrei Zvyagintsev's "Elena," which won a Cannes' Un Certain Regard jury prize, and Nikolay Khomeriki's Match Factory-sold "Heart's Boomerang," a black-and-white drama, play Seville's main Competition. Seville will honor Nikita Mikhalkov, whose "Burnt by the Sun: The Citadel," Russia's foreign-language film Oscar entry, forms part of a retrospective. "Russian cinema is enjoying a new spring in its subjects and creators," said Seville fest's artistic director Javier Martin-Dominguez. "Our focus mainly takes in new directors and more novel subject matters, reflecting a vibrant, modern cinema," he added. A key meeting point for the European film industry, Seville will promote co-productions between Russia and Spain. Spanish helmer Jose Luis Garcia Sanchez's comedy "Don't Touch the Dead, Kid," which sources the same-titled novel by late screenwriter Rafael Azcona, one of Spanish cinema's greats, world preems at Seville's opening gala. Produced by Juan Gona and co-penned by Garcia Sanchez, David Trueba and Bernardo Sanchez, pic completes an Azcona film trilogy portraying '50s Spain. Its first two parts -- Marco Ferreri's "The Little Apartment" and "El Cochecito" -- are now regarded as classics. Main Competition also includes the world premiere of Arantza Alvarez's feature debut "Kenu," a French-language, Senegal-set immigration drama, co-produced by Andalusian shingle Jaleo Films and France's La Fabrica Nocturna. Closing night pic is Steve McQueen's "Shame." Seville's official section screens 16 films contending for the Golden Giraldillo, fest's top award, which carries a Euros40,000 ($55,200) cash-prize for the winner's distribution in Spain. Vet Russian documentary director Aleksandr Gutman will preside the Competition jury. Israeli filmmaker Amos Gitai and Marion Doring, European Film Academy director, will receive tribs. Fest will also pay tribute to Spain's exhib-distributor Enrique Gonzalez-Macho, founder of Alta Films, Eddie Saeta's producer Luis Minarro and actress Maria Galiana. An EFA Selection will screen films pre-selected by the European Film Academy, whose nominations announcement, on Nov. 5, represents one of Seville's highlights. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com