RadicalMedia has signed international filmmaker Vanessa Beletic to its directorial roster for representation in the U.S. spanning commercials, branded content and music videos.
Haitian born and raised, Beletic is a pioneer of branded content. Her work in the commercial space has influenced storytelling that continues to permeate digital culture today, including campaigns for brands like Vaseline, Samsung, Levi’s, Estée Lauder, and Walmart. Beletic’s debut narrative short, Catching Spirits, recently won the Jury Award for Best Live Action Short at the 2022 New Hampshire Film Festival, which made her film eligible for Academy Award consideration. Its broad appeal has seen the film programmed as a genre-bender, a dance thriller, and a drama, alongside the most talked about shorts of 2022. Beletic was recently selected as one of eight filmmakers to join the American Film Institute’s DWW+ Class of 2024, which is a year-long directing workshop that supports women and traditionally underrepresented narrative filmmakers.
Beletic’s music video for Run The Jewels’ “Ooh-La-La” was nominated for the 2020 MVPA, UKMVA, and the 2021 Libera awards. Her work has been featured by Condé Nast Entertainment, Popsugar, Rolling Stone, and Complex.
Moving to the U.S. with her family at 13 years old, Beletic studied dance and education at New York City’s Hunter College and launched herself into an esteemed career as a professional dancer. It was in Los Angeles working with acclaimed commercial and music video directors on projects for Michael Jackson, Prince, and Justin Timberlake, that she decided to pursue her life-long passion for filmmaking.
Beletic brings her diverse background, eye for bold aesthetics, and relentless filter for authenticity to tell stories grounded in reality with characters who defy the odds by way of magic, perseverance, or straight-up hustle. Beletic is also a mentor to several young female filmmakers as part of her advocacy for the advancement of Black women’s voices in film and media.
“When we first saw Vanessa’s work, we were blown away by the maturity and depth of her storytelling. You can sense how personal her work is as it shines through on the screen,” said RadicalMedia president and EP, Frank Scherma. “We look forward to many more years of her stories with brands, on television and in theaters.”
“Radical brings backbone to my creative future–valuing the playful spirit and sense of style that’s at my core,” said Beletic. “I’m psyched to join forces and collaborate with the amazing creatives they attract.
Prior to joining RadicalMedia, Beletic was repped in the U.S. market by Rattling Stick, which continues to handle her in the U.K.
“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