Director Anna Rose Holmer, this year’s Independent Spirit “Someone to Watch” Award winner on the strength of The Fits, has joined RSA Films for commercial representation. Marking Holmer’s feature directorial debut, The Fits played at both the Venice (2015) and Sundance (2016) film festivals, earning her nominations for Breakthrough Director at the Gotham Awards and Best First Feature at the Independent Spirit Awards. The New York Times described The Fits as being “a dreamy, beautifully syncopated coming-of-age tale.”
“Anna is a tremendous talent with a very original voice,” assessed Jules Daly, president of RSA Films. “Her work stands out for its inventive and provocative narrative and visual storytelling. We’re excited to introduce her innovative approach and creativity to our clients.”
A narrative storyteller with an eye for beautifully composed and styled visuals, Holmer has turned out recent short-form content that includes: a music video for James Blake’s “My Willing Heart,” filmed in high contrast black and white and featuring languid sensuous shots of a very pregnant Natalie Portman; and the original piece, “Moonlight x Alvin Ailey” for the Nowness Just Dance film series that pays homage to Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight. Choreographed by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater artistic director Robert Battle and set to a euphoric score from Nicholas Britell, “Moonlight x Alvin Ailey” features dancers playing out a blue-lit journey in the same spirit of the Best Picture Oscar winner.
Holmer said, “I’m excited to partner with a filmmaker-founded and filmmaker-driven company that emphasizes artistry across various platforms. RSA Films and [its music video sister shop] Black Dog were immensely supportive in the production of the 'My Willing Heart' video. From that first endeavor together, I know they will continue to champion my vision regardless of format.”
Other projects from Holmer include producing Jody Lee Lipes’ Ballet 422 (Tribeca 2014) and Mike Plunkett’s Salero (IDFA 2015). And with filmmaker Matt Wolf, Holmer co-directed and produced A Ballet in Sneakers: Jerome Robbins and Opus Jazz, a companion documentary to NY Export: Opus Jazz, (SXSW 2010 Emerging Visions Audience Award winner) which aired on the PBS Great Performances/Dance in America series.
Holmer brings over a decade of experience in camera department and production crew, and as a director, tackles creative problem solving on set from a holistic viewpoint. She explained, “Short form content is continuing to evolve and push the formal language of moving images at an exciting and rapid rate. I want to experiment and give life to voices, images and ideas I haven’t seen onscreen before.”
