Cody Cluff, former president of the Entertainment Industry Development Corp. (EIDC), which oversees the joint Los Angeles City/County Film Office, was sentenced to three years of probation on charges of embezzling public funds while serving as head of the EIDC. He also repaid $80,000 to the EIDC. Cluff has spent the past three months in jail awaiting sentencing. He could have served up to three years of incarceration for felony embezzlement, but based on the recommendations of the State Department of Corrections, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Fidler sentenced Cluff to probation….The Russo Brothers, who won an Emmy for comedy series directing on the strength of their work on Arrested Development, have joined philsfilms, Venice, Calif., for commercials….Amy Hobby has joined Washington Square Films, New York, as president of its newly formed independent film division….Designer/director David Foote has signed with New York animation shop Asterisk for commercial and broadcast work….Veteran editors Jeff Sternberger and Michael Coe (co-founders of JefCo Editorial, Miami) and audio engineer Steve Johnston (founder of Outpost Audio, Miami) have teamed to form 2150, a Miami-based post facility with three Avid Media Composer suites, three Digidesign ProTools suites, and a Discreet Smoke setup utilizing the talents of effects artist Mike Nonelle….Greg Foster, president of IMAX Filmed Entertainment, has added company chairman to his title. Based in Los Angeles, Foster will assume responsibility for IMAX’s film distribution activities. He also oversees creative development, business affairs, sponsorship and marketing. As earlier reported (SHOOT, 4/23, p. 1), IMAX has a working relationship with bicoastal commercial production house Moxie Pictures—which also maintains a motion picture division—to produce a documentary on sailboat racing. Sponsorship for the branded entertainment project is being coordinated by Brad Ball of Ball Entertainment Group, Burbank, Calif….
Breakout Films and Major Takeaways From This Year’s Sundance Fest
Film wasn't the only thing on people's minds at this year's Sundance Film Festival, which comes to a close Sunday in Park City, Utah ( and online ).
The effects of the wildfires in Southern California loomed large, as did the bittersweet knowledge that this year will be the second to last Sundance based in Park City. Some films offered an escape from reality; others were a pointed reminder of the domestic and international political landscape, from transgender rights to the war in Ukraine.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the 41st edition of the festival.
The effects of the Southern California fires were deeply felt
The wildfires were still burning in parts of Los Angeles when Sundance began last week and reminders of its devastation were everywhere, even on screen. Max Walker-Silverman's "Rebuilding," starring Josh O'Connor as a cowboy who loses his ranch in a wildfire and forms a community with fellow survivors in a FEMA camp, hit close to home for many.
Filmmakers Meena Menon and Paul Gleason lost their home in Altadena where they filmed some of their zombie apocalypse movie "Didn't Die." Sundance artist labs head Michelle Satter lost her Palisades home as well. Satter had an audience of Sundance Institute donors in tears early in the festival while accepting an honor at a fundraising gala.
"It's a deeply devastating time for us and so many others, a moment that calls for all of us coming together to support our bigger community," Satter said. "As a friend recently noted, and I have to listen to this, 'Take a deep breath ... We lost our village, but at the end of the day we are the village.'"
The festival's move to another city dominated conversations
It was a topic... Read More