Toronto-based boutique production company Someplace Nice has added director Scott Pickett to its roster for representation in Canada. (In the U.S. he recently joined production house Bunker). Born in Australia, Pickett is well versed in multiple genres. Recent years have seen him craft a short supernatural thriller in the U.S., a fashion film in France, and a 360 degree VR action comedy in Australia. Throughout his career, Pickett has moved between TV series and commercials, shooting campaigns in 17 different countries and picking up various advertising awards including the Gold Clio and a Bronze Cannes Lion. His work spans international brands such as Apple, Google, IKEA, Coke, Nestle, McDonald’s, Ford, Toyota, and VW. Pickett has also continued his long form work, with funding support from Screen Australia for short films and feature development. He’s directed drama for Channel 7 Australia, and has worked on TV comedies The Elegant Gentleman’s Guide to Knife Fighting (screened on Netflix, Hulu, and ABC Australia) and The Moody’s (ABC Australia, Hulu, Sky TV). Scott’s 2017 short film, The Doppel Chain, was also screened at Sydney International Film Festival and picked up by streaming channel Alter….
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More