Director Allen Hughes–best known for his feature film work as half of the Hughes Bros (with twin brother Albert)–has joined the commercialmaking roster at bicoastal/international Believe Media. On the big screen the Hughes Bros. most recently directed Denzel Washington in the post-apocalyptic “The Book of Eli.” Earlier the duo directed Johnny Depp in the Jack The Ripper-inspired From Hell as well as the documentary feature American Pimp and the Vietnam War-era drama, Dead Presidents. The Hughes Bros. made their motion picture debut with the lauded Menace II Society. Hughes’ previous spot credits included work for Gatorade, Reebok, Nike and Best Buy. 2010 saw Allen Hughes directing the VFX-intensive Dr. Dre music video, “I Need a Doctor,” featuring Eminem and Skylar Grey. Besides fortifying its directorial lineup, Believe has also secured a new exec producer, Jannie McInnes, formerly of Revolver in Canada. She will work out of Believe’s New York office. Also known for having served as creative director for international recording artist Feist, McInnes retains as her main calling card credits that include producing and overseeing productions for noted visual directors like Floria Sigismondi (a Believe director), Patrick Daughters, Joseph Kahn and Hype Williams. McInnes’ productions over the years have earned Grammy nominations, UKVMA’s, JUNO’s and MTV Music Video Awards….ZEITGUISED has come aboard the roster of Stink London. Established in 2001 by American sculptor Jamie Raap and German architect Henrik Mauler, ZEITGUISED became known for their blend of complex geometries, surreal objects, artificial behaviors and the recycling of digital readymades into a distinct narration style. They have turned out projects for brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and MTV while their work has also been selected for exhibitions in galleries and art shows around the world, most notably Volta New York and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona. Their latest piece “Hyper Trophies” is a collaboration with Berlin fashion label Franzius and will premier at the Stink pop up gallery during Gallery weekend in Berlin 2012…..CP+B has promoted Mason Reed to executive VP/managing director of the agency’s Los Angeles office. Reed, a 10-year veteran of CP+B, has worked with a variety of agency clients over the years including Virgin Atlantic Airways, Hulu, Slim Jim, Method home cleaning products, Nike and Burger King. He was most recently exec VP/director of business development where he was instrumental in the Under Armour and Applebee’s wins. Reed will retain his new business duties while also overseeing the agency’s Los Angeles activities….
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