German director Matthias Zentner has signed with New York-based foreignfilms@cYclops for exclusive spot representation in the U.S.…Composer PJ Hanke, a former partner in Spank! Music & Sound Design, Los Angeles (which also has an office in Chicago), has launched a new music house, Sovereign, Los Angeles. Joining him as executive producer in the new venture is Katie Jones, who served in the same capacity at Spank!….Klasky Csupo Animation Studio, Hollywood, has hired Suzy Barbieri as senior VP of feature film development. She comes over from Imagine Entertainment, Los Angeles, where she served as VP, motion pictures…. Jonathan Whitehead has been named general manager, operations and sales, at Margarita Mix de Santa Monica, one of The L.A. Studios’ audio post houses. He had most recently been freelance producing for ad agencies, production companies, post studios and visual effects shops….The California Film Commission (CFC) has re-elected Chris Essel as its board chairperson. Essel is senior VP, government and community affairs, for Paramount Pictures. Actor/director/producer Danny DeVito has been elected as CFC board vice chair. And re-elected as CFC secretary was Sandra Berke Jordan, president of the Motion Picture Costumers, Local 705….
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