Director David Denneen has joined Los Angeles-based Form for exclusive spot representation in the U.S. Form is headed by executive producer Craig Rodgers. Denneen-who continues to maintain his longstanding Sydney-based production house, Filmgraphics-was formerly handled in the U.S. by bicoastal Anonymous Content…. Noted filmmaker and documentarian Michael Apted has signed with bicoastal Gartner for commercials in the U.S….The Brothers Strause have come aboard bicoastal HSI Productions’ directorial roster…..Dan Wieden, chief creative officer/CEO of Wieden+Kennedy, Portland, Ore., has been named president of the film and the press & outdoor juries for the 2003 Cannes International Advertising Festival….Director Doug Pray, best known for his work on documentaries and music videos, has signed with Oil Factory Films, Hollywood….Director Paul Papanek has come aboard Los Angeles-based Arsenal…. Tapehouse Editorial, New York, has added colorist Sam Daley….Sydney, Australia-based production/production services company Prodigy has added director Nicholas Reynolds for spotwork. Reynolds won a Gold Lion at the most recent Cannes International Advertising Festival for Ikea’s "Dog," via Lowe & Partners, Singapore. Prodigy also maintains offices in Melbourne, Australia, and Singapore….Director Jordan Brady’s film, Waking Up In Reno starring Billy Bob Thornton, Charlize Theron, Natasha Richardson and Patrick Swayze, opened nationwide this week (10/25). Brady helms commercials via Santa Monica-based Bravo Zulu….A fund has been established for the children of the late Michael Tardio, the brother of director Neil Tardio, Jr. (A Band Apart, Los Angeles), and son of veteran helmer Neil Tardio. Michael Tardio, 35, was murdered last month in Los Angeles. The crime is under investigation. To benefit Michael Tardio’s two kids, donations can be sent to the Michael Tardio Family Fund, c/o Smith Barney, attention: Kevin Malloy, at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 21st floor, New York, N.Y. 10105….
DGA Feature Nominees: Audiard, Baker, Berger, Corbet and Mangold
The field of feature nominees for the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards spanning two categories is set. Nominated for the DGA honor for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024 are: Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez, Sean Baker for Anora, Edward Berger for Conclave, Brady Corbet for The Brutalist, and James Mangold for A Complete Unknown.
The DGA also revealed the nominees for the Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film. The first-time narrative feature directors are: Payal Kapadia for All We Imagine as Light, Megan Park for My Old Ass, RaMell Ross for Nickel Boys, Halfdan Ullman Tondel for Armand, and Sean Wang for Diddy.
“2024 has been a truly extraordinary year for storytelling--and today’s nominees have created audacious and unique films that expand the possibilities of cinematic excellence,” said DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter. “I am thrilled to congratulate all our nominated directors for their brilliant work, which is visionary, inspirational and speaks to the depth of the human experience. To be chosen by one’s peers is the true marker of outstanding directorial achievement and what makes these nominations so very special.”
The winners will be announced at the 77th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 8.
Here’s a fuller rundown of the nominees in both DGA Award categories:
THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024 (in alphabetical order):
JACQUES AUDIARD
Emilia Pérez
(Netflix)
SEAN... Read More