Stept, a creatively integrated production company with offices in Los Angeles and Jackson Hole (Wyoming), has added Michael Parenteau and Leigh Powis to its directorial roster for exclusive commercial representation in the U.S.
Parenteau is a director, producer, DP and editor of films, commercials, and music videos. His films include Free Diving With Perrin James, Ride Of the Dead, and The Search For Freedom. The latter won numerous awards including Newport Beach Film Festival’s Outstanding Achievement Award, Maui Film Festival’s Audience Award, and the London Surf Film Festival’s Best Cinematography award. Parenteau’s creative innovations span far beyond the screen and include immersive storytelling, aerial, and underwater filming. Clients include NBA, Ford, Mercedes, The North Face, and Audi.
Raised in the U.K. and now living in Whistler BC, Powis has become a fixture in the Vancouver film community. With experience as a director, editor, colorist and sound designer, Powis becomes fully immersed in the postproduction process of his projects. His early works followed professional athletes through the mountains of British Columbia, but he quickly found his true calling as he transitioned into artful narrative films and abstract commercials. Powis’ passion for disruptive storytelling and his experience directing scripted films has elevated his commercial work and branded content. Recent projects include “Free Bird” for The North Face as well as Oakley’s “Optical” featuring Daniel Norris.
Originally producers of alpine films, Stept quickly found success in the branded documentary space, directing and finishing short films for top outdoor and athletic clients including The North Face, Under Armour, and Oakley. Stept’s work for these clients also solidified the studio’s reputation in the commercial world, where its endeavors for brands and agencies alike includes broadcast commercials, short films, and digital and branded content. Their work has garnered awards at Tribeca and BANFF as well as recent honors including Vimeo Staff Picks for WC Jameson, The Litas, and Adventure Not War.
Utah Leaders and Locals Rally To Keep Sundance Film Festival In The State
With the 2025 Sundance Film Festival underway, Utah leaders, locals and longtime attendees are making a final push — one that could include paying millions of dollars — to keep the world-renowned film festival as its directors consider uprooting.
Thousands of festivalgoers affixed bright yellow stickers to their winter coats that read "Keep Sundance in Utah" in a last-ditch effort to convince festival leadership and state officials to keep it in Park City, its home of 41 years.
Gov. Spencer Cox said previously that Utah would not throw as much money at the festival as other states hoping to lure it away. Now his office is urging the Legislature to carve out $3 million for Sundance in the state budget, weeks before the independent film festival is expected to pick a home for the next decade.
It could retain a small presence in picturesque Park City and center itself in nearby Salt Lake City, or move to another finalist — Cincinnati, Ohio, or Boulder, Colorado — beginning in 2027.
"Sundance is Utah, and Utah is Sundance. You can't really separate those two," Cox said. "This is your home, and we desperately hope it will be your home forever."
Last year's festival generated about $132 million for the state of Utah, according to Sundance's 2024 economic impact report.
Festival Director Eugene Hernandez told reporters last week that they had not made a final decision. An announcement is expected this year by early spring.
Colorado is trying to further sweeten its offer. The state is considering legislation giving up to $34 million in tax incentives to film festivals like Sundance through 2036 — on top of the $1.5 million in funds already approved to lure the Utah festival to its neighboring... Read More