Chelsea Pictures, which earlier this week was named The One Show’s Production Company of the Year, has added London-based director Dumas Haddad to its U.S. roster. This marks his first-ever branded representation in the American market.
Aside from his commercial work for Guerlain & Footlocker x Fifa, Haddad has directed promos and music videos for Ghetts, Anaïs, and Lonepsi. Most recently, Haddad directed rising star Priya Ragu’s vibrant music video for her song “Chicken Lemon Rice” celebrating her Sri Lankan heritage.
“From the first time we saw Dumas’ body of work, we knew we wanted him at Chelsea,” said Lisa Mehling, president of Chelsea. “We are drawn to filmmakers whose singular point of view just grabs you–and Dumas’ potent blend of humanity and classic composition and lighting is outstanding.”
Haddad is a director, writer and photographer with a focus on storytelling and dramatic action. He has developed his craft from the worlds of fashion, music and bleeding edge culture.
Dumas earned a Vimeo Staff Pick for his work directing Anaïs’ music video “Lost My Faith,” securing himself a slot on the shortlist at Berlin Commercial for Best Emerging Talent. For his powerful documentary short film Fathers, which interrogates and challenges stereotypes surrounding the role of the Black father in modern society, Haddad also received a Vimeo Staff Pick as well as landed on the Shortlist at the Kinsale Shark Awards. In 2019, Haddad was highly commended by the 1.4 Awards as an On The Cusp of Greatness new director selection. His surreal short film, The Gift, premiered on Film 4 and was commissioned by Random Acts.
His next short film, Things I Never Told My Father, was written by Letitia Wright exploring the dynamic of grief. Haddad is also set to release work he directed for Gucci.
“I’m truly honored to start this new and exciting journey in the U.S. with such an amazing family,” said Haddad, “The U.S. is a market that most excites me and the team’s dexterity and astuteness in the space is beyond impressive.”
“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 year’s 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 Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s 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.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
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 Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More