Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards, the Los Angeles Film Festival and Film Independent at LACMA, announced that the 2015 Spirit Awards will be broadcast exclusively on IFC on February 21, 2015, live at 2:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm ET. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the award show that celebrates the best of independent film. Joel Gallen of Tenth Planet Productions has been named executive producer of the show that will be held in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica. Producer Shawn Davis returns for his 13th show.
“We wanted to shake things up to mark the 30th anniversary,” said Film Independent President Josh Welsh, “and I think by broadcasting live from the beach we’ll do just that.”
Gallen’s credits include the Emmy nominated specials Stand Up To Cancer (2014, 2012), the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert (2009), Hope For Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief (2010) and the Emmy and Peabody Award winning America: A Tribute to Heroes (2001). He produced the MTV Movie Awards for 12 consecutive years from 1995 to 2006. He has also produced the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony since 2003 and the Comedy Central Roasts for the last 10 years including the most recent roast featuring James Franco. Gallen will executive produce and direct the upcoming Concert for Valor for HBO on November 11.
Gallen said, “Producing the MTV Movie Awards for more than a decade gave me the opportunity to stir up the traditional award show format and I plan to ‘mix it up’ again in my approach to the Spirit Awards. And with the show going 100% live, look for a faster-paced and energized show.”
In addition to celebrating the broad spectrum of independent filmmaking, the Spirit Awards is also the primary fundraiser for Film Independent’s year-round programs, which cultivate the careers of emerging filmmakers and promote diversity in the industry.
Mike Pierantozzi joins Movers+Shakers as exec creative director
Creative agency Movers+Shakers has appointed Mike Pierantozzi as executive creative director. In this new role, he will help guide the creative direction of Movers+Shakersโ socially-native campaigns. Pierantozzi will report to co-founder and chief creative officer Geoffrey Goldberg.
With nearly two decades of experience as a copywriter, creative director, and multi-platform storyteller, Pierantozzi brings a wealth of knowledge from his work with major brands including Kraft, Unilever, IBM, and Walmart. He has led the creation of award-winning campaigns for agencies like Red Tettemer, Ogilvy, The Brooklyn Brothers, TAXI, Saatchi & Saatchi, and most recently, Vayner, where he spearheaded culturally iconic work for Planters including โDeath of Mr. Peanut.โ He led the National Down Syndrome Society and Luvs account, whose โFirst Kid. Second Kidโ campaign was awarded by the Effies, ADC, Clios and LIAs.
Outside of the office, Pierantozzi practices what he teaches brands. Heโs gone viral multiple times on his own TikTok account, featuring comedic interactions with his son and a trombone. Heโs accumulated 15K followers on TikTok.
โMike brings a rare and awesome combination of deep social and platform experience, a keen eye for excellent storytelling, and a humble and kind approach to leadership,โ said Goldberg. โMikeโs got a knack for turning brand stories into cultural movements, making him the perfect fit for Movers+Shakers. Heโs got the kind of bold vision and attention to culture that fits perfectly with our mission to push creative boundaries and drive industry firsts. Plus, as a creator himself he has the innate ability to make people stop, laugh, and share--which is exactly what weโre about.โ
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