Sanctuary Content has added sales veteran Kristen Bedard-Johnson as executive producer and head of sales. Bedard-Johnson’s role at the Culver City-based production company will complement that of Preston Lee, EP and founder, on the West coast.
Bedard-Johnson joins Sanctuary’s new Brooklyn office after two years as director of sales and management–East Coast at Smuggler. With a background in theater and over a decade in advertising at companies like Furlined and RadicalMedia, Bedard-Johnson knew she wanted to join the ranks at Sanctuary when the opportunity arose, having had her eye on their roster since the company launched in 2016.
“Preston has such a strong reputation in the industry, and right away I saw how his vision aligned with my goals. We came together really naturally,” said Bedard-Johnson. “I’m thrilled to be able help the directors bond their artistic output with commerce, to get specific on what success looks like to them and help to build that trajectory.”
After 36 months building the company in Culver City, Lee said now is the right time for the infusion of fresh energy and enthusiasm in Sanctuary’s new Brooklyn office. “In order for us to grow and move onto the next phase of our journey, we needed someone exactly like Kristen to come on board. The strength of two strategic minds working across both coasts is the best way to provide the strongest opportunities for our directors.”
A focus on nurturing talent isn’t the only commonality; both EPs share an excitement for the convergence of entertainment and advertising in the current media landscape. This shines through in a roster of makers who create across the very different formats of filmmaking, including advertising, film, music videos, and television. Having produced five short films to date, the company is continuing to push into long-format in all platforms.
“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