September Festivals and Releases Offer Oscar Season Warm-Up

For journos and festival globetrotters, Oscar season officially kicks off in early September with the unveiling of several potential contenders at Venice, Telluride and Toronto (big takeaway is that Damien Chazelle's La La Land -- my most anticipated film of 2016 -- seriously has the goods). But for Oscar hobbyists like you and me, September is merely a warm-up period; A chance to read up on all the festival players and ease out of blockbuster mode, as more adult fare that may not have what it takes to go all the way look to cash in on summer fatigue.