The directorial team Berman+Pulcini—a.k.a. Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, who helmed American Splendor, the movie that won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and the Film Critics Award at the Cannes International Film Festival—has signed with bicoastal Moxie Pictures for exclusive representation in commercials….Director Larry Shanet, a.k.a. Kranky, has come aboard X-Ray Films, a division of Crossroads Films, bicoastal and Chicago….John Benson and Ward Evans, a.k.a. the directorial duo John & Ward, have signed with Play, Toronto, for exclusive spot representation in Canada. John & Ward continue to freelance via Valiant Films, San Francisco, and are currently exploring prospective U.S. production house roosts….Javier and Jorge Aguilera, a.k.a. the directing team Big Brother, have joined F.M. Rocks Commercials, Santa Monica, for exclusive representation in the U.S….Colin McGreal, who joined Charlex, New York, as creative director in 2001, is now formally diversifying into directing via the company. The move comes as his helming career gains momentum with the short live-action film Apsara, which has been screened at numerous festivals. McGreal also wrote the film….Rob Godbold of Large, London, will handle U.K. representation for the directorial roster of bicoastal Epoch Films….Director Domenic Mastrippolito has come aboard BeachHouse Films, Santa Monica….Director Luis Ruiz has joined Green Dot Films, Santa Monica….Director Adam Byrd has joined Moo Studios, a Burbank, Calif.-based house specializing in animation and spot production. He had been working at the company since ’02 on a freelance basis….FilmCore has promoted Jon Ettinger, executive producer of its San Francisco office, and Doug Walker, senior editor in San Francisco, to the newly created posts of senior VP of business development and senior VP of talent relations, respectively. In their new roles, Ettinger and Walker will spearhead an expansion aimed at growing the editorial talent pool at FilmCore’s operations in Santa Monica and San Francisco, and at opening additional FilmCore shops in New York and other major ad markets…. Designer Melissa von Bjal has come aboard SOMERsault, Chicago, joining her husband, designer Robert von Bjal. Most recently, Melissa von Bjal was serving as a motion graphics designer at Bazooka, the design division of Chicago-based Swell…. Toronto-headquartered Leitch Technology Corp. has appointed Tim Thorsteinson as president/CEO. Thorsteinson previously led the Broadcast product line of Thomson Broadcast and Media Solutions. He is perhaps best known as the former CEO/COO of Grass Valley Group. Jean Marc Hoffer has been promoted to succeed Thorsteinson at Thomson. Hoffer had been VP of operations/switcher, routers and modular products….
Breakout Films and Major Takeaways From This Year’s Sundance Fest
Film wasn't the only thing on people's minds at this year's Sundance Film Festival, which comes to a close Sunday in Park City, Utah ( and online ).
The effects of the wildfires in Southern California loomed large, as did the bittersweet knowledge that this year will be the second to last Sundance based in Park City. Some films offered an escape from reality; others were a pointed reminder of the domestic and international political landscape, from transgender rights to the war in Ukraine.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the 41st edition of the festival.
The effects of the Southern California fires were deeply felt
The wildfires were still burning in parts of Los Angeles when Sundance began last week and reminders of its devastation were everywhere, even on screen. Max Walker-Silverman's "Rebuilding," starring Josh O'Connor as a cowboy who loses his ranch in a wildfire and forms a community with fellow survivors in a FEMA camp, hit close to home for many.
Filmmakers Meena Menon and Paul Gleason lost their home in Altadena where they filmed some of their zombie apocalypse movie "Didn't Die." Sundance artist labs head Michelle Satter lost her Palisades home as well. Satter had an audience of Sundance Institute donors in tears early in the festival while accepting an honor at a fundraising gala.
"It's a deeply devastating time for us and so many others, a moment that calls for all of us coming together to support our bigger community," Satter said. "As a friend recently noted, and I have to listen to this, 'Take a deep breath ... We lost our village, but at the end of the day we are the village.'"
The festival's move to another city dominated conversations
It was a topic... Read More