Chased By Cowboys, Venice, Calif., has added director Peter Salmi to its roster. Meanwhile, the company and director Thomas Kloss have parted ways….Director Agustín Alberdi has signed with Carbo Films, Venice, for representation in the U.S. Hispanic market. Carbo’s sister company, Traffic Films, Venice, will handle him for the general market….French animation and digital effects house Sparx has opened an office in Los Angeles, headed by Laddie Ervin, VP of business development for North America. Sparx also maintains studios in Paris and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam…. Executive producer Susan Kirson and @tate, Santa Monica—the division of Santa Monica-headquartered Tate USA that represents feature directors for commercials—are parting ways. Presently, @tate is looking to expand its roster, developing additional relationships—exclusive or non-exclusive—with feature helmers in the spot arena….Editor Nadia Heinrich has joined Cutters, Chicago….Editor John Monte has joined Refinery, New York….Editor Dustin Robertson has come aboard Brass Knuckles, Venice, for spot representation. He continues to maintain Avid Diva, his own Venice shop, for music videos….Twist Audio has opened in New York with mixers Glenn Laredo, Peter Buccellato and Mark Schultz, all formerly with Laredo Audio Post, New York. They are joined by Sarah Rotondi, who handles bookings, and former ICM agent Erik Sanchez, who heads a new casting service. Twist operates as a satellite of Sound Lounge, New York….New York-based Suspect has added visual effects artist Susanne Scharping….Drew Mayer-Oakes has been named film marketing manager for the San Antonio Film Commission….
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