Director/creative director Jake Banks, executive producer Matthew Marquis and head of VFX Guillaume Marien have teamed to form Golden, a production and post company based in Venice, Calif. Launching in response to the ever-changing industry model, Golden is a multi-disciplinary studio focused on the fusion of high-end live action production, design, animation and visual effects. Banks and Marquis earlier founded Stardust, a commercial production company where Banks served as owner and director. After nearly a decade at the helm of that company, Banks had a stint on the directorial roster of Prettybird. Marquis most recently prior to Golden worked at Logan where he helped launch the live action division Logan and Sons. Guillaume is the creator of Mathematic, a motion design studio devoted to creating cutting edge visuals with an innovative approach to postproduction…. Director and VFX artist Anders Rostad has joined the roster of DNA. Anders previously served as creative director and head of video production for RAM Magazine, and has been a freelance director and VFX artist since 2010. Rostad joins DNA after a string of successful projects including directing “Last Chance” for Grammy-nominated electronic artist Kaskade and an innovative series of network IDs for Hub for the 2012 and 2013 summer campaigns. He also designed a series of video billboards featured in Times Square for Aeropostale and JVC’s New Year’s campaigns….James Cunningham has joined Stink, serving as EP out of the company’s London office. He was most recently head of content at Academy Films. Cunningham began his career as an account man at TBWA, London and Mustoe Merriman Levy. He then moved to Cape Town, working at Suburban Films, where he was instrumental in setting up Film South Africa, a body designed to unify the country’s production industry under one global marketing strategy. After three years in South Africa, Cunningham returned to London and joined Academy Films as its head of content in 2008….NY-based Northern Lights has promoted Jon Simpson to editor. While working as an assistant editor since joining the company in 2010, he has contributed to a wide variety of campaigns for such top clients as USA Network, TruTV and Al Jazeera America. In 2013, he took home the top prize at the AICE Camp Kuleshov trailer editing contest for “Screwloose,” his horror take on a trailer for the 1980s dance musical Footloose….
“Dune: Part Two,” “Wicked,” “The Wild Robot” and “Shลgun” Among Lumiere Award Winners
The Advanced Imaging Society has revealed the winners of the 2025 Lumiere Awards, recognizing outstanding creative and technical achievements in its 15th annual celebration. The awards honor the artists, engineers and innovators whose work continues to push the boundaries of storytelling and cinematic technology.
While the annual Lumiere Awards luncheon was scheduled to be celebrated at the Beverly Hills Hotel, once it became clear that the devastating Los Angeles fires were affecting not only the AIS community, but impacting so many in Southern California, the decision was made to announce and deliver the awards directly to the honorees, and to forgo the luncheon celebration. The Society has honored the results of this yearโs voting body and announced the 2025 Lumiere Award winners today, Feb. 7, the eventโs originally scheduled date.
AIS President Jim Chabin said, โOur hearts go out to everyone in our community impacted by these devastating fires. In recent weeks, weโve been deeply saddened to learn of friends and colleagues who have lost their homes and irreplaceable memories. Yet, amid this hardship, we have also been inspired by the incredible generosity of our members โ opening their homes, providing resources, and rallying together in support. This unwavering spirit of unity and compassion is a testament to the strength of our industry.โ
The Lumiere Awards recognize distinguished directors and professionals in film, television, and emerging media, voted for by members of the Hollywood creative and technology community. Technological advancements expand the possibilities of storytelling, and these awards celebrate their significance for all who love film and television. โOur awards have humorously been called the Oscars for... Read More