London Alley has hired Sandy Haddad as executive producer. A 20-plus year industry vet, Haddad comes over from Chromista where she was a partner and executive producer. In her new role at London Alley, Haddad will work directly with commercial executive producer Matthew Kauth to further elevate the company and bring in new talent.
Haddad spent the past 10 years at Chromista. Her work for The New York Times, 2K, Amazon Games, GrubHub and P&G has won assorted awards, including Cannes Gold Lions, D&AD and The One Show honors.
“I believe that creativity and culture are at the heart of successful work, and the London Alley team is cemented in these values,” said Haddad. “Knowing that we share so many of the same ideals makes the decision to join forces with London Alley an easy one. Their vision is limitless and I want to be a part of that.”
Haddad’s love for filmmaking began when she was a young girl roaming the aisles of her parents’ video store. The store gave her access to a vast library of incredible movies that cultivated a fascination with storytelling at an early age. This unique background has inspired her work and her passion ever since, and she is currently developing a script about her family’s experience as Arab immigrants. Haddad attended film school and landed her first job as an assistant at A Band Apart, which she describes as a life changing springboard. Haddad’s relationship with London Alley blossomed via a friendship with London Alley founder/owner Brandon Bonfiglio and London Alley director Hannah Lux Davis. Given Haddad’s strong ties with the company, joining the team is a natural next step.
“We’ve long admired Sandy’s work and work style,” said Bonfiglio. “Sandy has been a friend and mentor for 15 years so this partnership has always felt written in the stars. As we grow London Alley, it’s important that we work with people who share our vision and are capable of bringing impactful and imaginative work to life, Sandy is that person.”
“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