Production company Avocados and Coconuts has signed director Matthew Palmer for U.S. representation spanning commercials, branded content and music videos. Known for his stylized and cinematic documentary style, Palmer has helmed campaigns for Allbirds, GE, Accenture, Keurig, and Le Creuset, and music videos for such artists as Sam Fischer, Y.S.A.. and Night Hikes.
Palmer also has to his credit several documentaries which he has directed and produced, including One Week in April, a short film about toddler-related shootings in the U.S. The film earned him a slot in the 2017 Saatchi & Saatchi New Directors Showcase at Cannes and was screened at the Calgary International Film Festival, Savannah Film Festival and the Tallgrass Film Festival. Palmer’s documentaries and shorts have garnered six Vimeo Staff picks. In addition, Palmer recently directed The Star, a narrative animated short.
“What drew me to Matt’s work was his versatility and ability to tell a great story in a fresh way no matter what the topic is,” says Dalia Burde, founder/executive producer of Avocados and Coconuts. “His drive to always put the story front and center and his passion for the stories he tells resonated with me and aligns really well with our ethos at Avocados.”
Palmer said, “As a filmmaker, I’ve always tried to put my energy and resources toward projects that matter to me personally. Dalia and her team live by this same philosophy and I’m excited that we can build on our brand work together.”
A graduate of NYU with a major in Media Studies and a minor in Film Production, Palmer was previously repped by Little Ugly, where he helmed music videos for Sam Fischer and a short brand film for Call Me Ishmael, an online project celebrating books.
Palmer is currently working on a brand film for lifestyle cycling brand Thereabouts, and has a short film, SHE, making its round in virtual festivals, including the Canadian International Fashion Film Festival and Fashion Film Festival Istanbul. He’s also completing his second feature documentary about Election Day and its impact on different people around the country, which is being associate-produced by Avocados and Coconuts.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this yearโs AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckisโ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwoodโs Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
โAt the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,โ said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. โWe look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.โ
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraรญn, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the worldโs most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More