London-based production company KODE has added director Jonnie Malachi to its commercial roster for representation in the U.K. Known for his work in comedy, Malachi has helmed spots for assorted brands including Xbox, Hotels.com, Suzuki, Pizza Hut and most recently Simply Business. His credits also span direction of such notables as Asim Chaudhry, Captain Obvious and Danny from New Kids on the Block….
Bicoastal Giant Spoon has hired Kristin Maverick as its new EVP, social strategy. She will report to co-founder Jon Haber and will be working across all clients with an initial focus on Petco and Kate Spade. Maverick most recently worked at 360i where she launched social media work for Kroger, NBCU’s Bravo TV, David Yurman & Boston Beer’s Truly Hard Seltzer and several Mondelez brands. Prior to that, she acquired over 15 years of social, digital and content marketing experience while working at agencies like Forsman & Bodenfors, The Barbarian Group, BBDO as well as in-house at NBCU….
“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