Director Peter Lydon–who recently wrapped one of the last episodes of Poirot, a long-running U.K. TV drama–is focusing exclusively on commercials through Picrow (Pictures in a Row) in the U.S. and 76 Ltd. in the U.K. Lydon is known for his work in dramatic series, having also helmed episodes of Shameless, Teachers, Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Vincent. In 2010, Lydon won a Royal Television Academy Award for his four-part drama Garrows’ Law for the BBC. His Sky 1 short, Uncle Santa, was the first 3D drama commissioned in the U.K. On the commercial side, Lydon directed comedic performances for Sky Broadband, transforming classic fairytales such as The Princess and the Pea, Alladin, The Emperor’s New Clothes and The Boy Who Cried Wolf into modern ad tales. His spot credits span such clients as Carlsberg, Discovery Channel, IKEA and Orange….Director Mandie Fletcher whose noted U.K. TV series work spans comedy and drama–and who has worked with such actors as Alfred Molina, Jonathon Pryce, Michael Elphick, Hugh Laurie and Steven Fry–is returning to the commercialmaking arena via production house HOME.corp….Creative collective Poetica has signed sr. VFX artist Aron Baxter who brings to his new roost two-plus decades of experience. Previously, he was at Nice Shoes in NY as creative director working with such major clients as X-Box 360, IBM, Audi, AT&T, Under Armour, Bulgari, and talent like Lady Gaga, Kanye West and Beyonce. Baxter developed and directed commercials, music videos, and short films, including his own special effects-driven short film, Heartbreaker, which was an Official Selection for the Big Apple Film Festival in 2011. Back in 2005, Baxter was appointed as VFX supervisor/artist and department head at Nice Shoes sister company, Guava Studios. Baxter oversaw and took responsibility for creative direction on a number of projects for American Express, Goodyear, Folgers, and GMC….Marketing and creative production company mOcean has hired Robert “Bobby” Gumm to the newly created position of VP of music. He has served as music supervisor for the marketing campaigns of such major Hollywood releases as The Dark Knight Rises, Iron Man 3, The Great Gatsby, Brave and The Aviator…..
Utah Leaders and Locals Rally To Keep Sundance Film Festival In The State
With the 2025 Sundance Film Festival underway, Utah leaders, locals and longtime attendees are making a final push — one that could include paying millions of dollars — to keep the world-renowned film festival as its directors consider uprooting.
Thousands of festivalgoers affixed bright yellow stickers to their winter coats that read "Keep Sundance in Utah" in a last-ditch effort to convince festival leadership and state officials to keep it in Park City, its home of 41 years.
Gov. Spencer Cox said previously that Utah would not throw as much money at the festival as other states hoping to lure it away. Now his office is urging the Legislature to carve out $3 million for Sundance in the state budget, weeks before the independent film festival is expected to pick a home for the next decade.
It could retain a small presence in picturesque Park City and center itself in nearby Salt Lake City, or move to another finalist — Cincinnati, Ohio, or Boulder, Colorado — beginning in 2027.
"Sundance is Utah, and Utah is Sundance. You can't really separate those two," Cox said. "This is your home, and we desperately hope it will be your home forever."
Last year's festival generated about $132 million for the state of Utah, according to Sundance's 2024 economic impact report.
Festival Director Eugene Hernandez told reporters last week that they had not made a final decision. An announcement is expected this year by early spring.
Colorado is trying to further sweeten its offer. The state is considering legislation giving up to $34 million in tax incentives to film festivals like Sundance through 2036 — on top of the $1.5 million in funds already approved to lure the Utah festival to its neighboring... Read More