Gold Derby nuggets: 'W' to debut at London Film Festival | Tom Brokaw and Brian Williams to bestow news Emmys
• The Hollywood Reporter says Oliver Stone's "W." will end up having its premiere at the London Film Festival, not, as rumored, because it was rejected by Italy due to the film's attacks on political conservatism. "The Rome Film Festival offered a spot in its lineup to
Oliver Stone's biographical satire 'W.,' only to have the filmmakers opt for a premiere at this year's London Film Festival, Rome's artistic director said Monday," says the tradepaper. READ MORE
• "We wanted to make a splash," a board of the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust told the New York Times about why it bestowed the first new Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award to Tony Kushner ("Angels in America"). The prize comes with a hefty $200,000 bundle. The choice of Kushner is a bit of a surprise since he seems focused largely on writing for the silver screen these days (he's penning Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" while other such distinguished playwrights as Terrence McNally and Richard Greenberg still concentrate on stage work, don't have big Hollywood deals and could probably use the cash too.
• I wish the News and Documentary Emmys would stop skedding their New York-based awards show so close to the Prime Time Emmys gala out in L.A. I can't make it back east in time to attend. This year the gigs (staged by rival TV academies that own the Emmy trademark jointly) are only a day apart. The news kudos will be bestowed one day later — that is, on Monday, Sept. 22, at Frederick P. Rose Hall at Lincoln Center. Presenters include Tom Brokaw and Brian Williams (NBC), John Roberts (CNN), Cynthia McFadden (ABC) and Sheila Nevins (HBO). The ceremony will include special tributes to recently deceased TV greats Jim McKay, William F. Buckley and Tony Snow. Ken Burns, Tim Russert and Bob Schieffer will receive lifetime achievement awards. READ MORE
• The cyber-work of one of our posters deserves a shout-out: "Awardshq: The Blog" is a real headquarters for the company of fellow kudos nuts eager to share their knowledge and enthusiasm. Check it out — CLICK HERE.
Spying his posts there, I'm reminded that I forgot to feature this video of "Entertainment Tonight's" preview of top Oscar contender "Revolutionary Road" that hit YouTube a few days ago. Awardshq cheers, "This is the first time that Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet have been on screen together since 'Titanic,' and, boy, does it look amazing!" Yes, it does, and let's recall that it's directed by Kate's hubby, Sam Mendes, who won an Oscar for directing 1999 best-picture winner "American Beauty," which dealt with the same theme as "Revolutionary Road" — despair over life in suburban America.
(Lionsgate, Paramount Vantage)

