Rattling Stick has signed Spanish filmmaker Imanol Ruiz de Lara for U.K. representation. Born in Madrid and raised in Gijón by his family of actors, Ruiz de Lara grew up surrounded by performance and storytelling, so his passion for entertainment and powerful imagery comes from both nature and nurture. After studying Communication Studies at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, he continued his education in the International Film and TV School of San Antonio de los Baños, the famous Cuban film school founded by Nobel prize winner Gabriel García Márquez. Ruiz de Lara then moved into the editing room at the Instituto del Cine Madrid, learning filmmaking intricacies that he now cites as vital to his career, creative style and knowledge of directing. After more than seven years of experience as a film and television editor, Ruiz de Lara was ready to direct. He began making fashion films, collaborating with industry giants such as Adolfo Dominguez, Yves Saint Laurent and Vogue, for which his “Europa II” film won Best Director and Best Film at the La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival and his most recent “Haunted by Love” won Best Direction and Best Choreography plus six La Jolla IFFF nominations. He then won Gold and two Silver Promax awards in Best Direction for his Cosmo “Essential Viewing” film. Ruiz de Lara broke into advertising with his “Collisions” film for Heart Ibiza which was shortlisted at Cannes Lions 2016. He has been busy ever since; making commercials for LG, Santander, McDonalds, Movistar and many more….
CYLNDR, Cheil Worldwide’s tech-enabled, end-to-end creative production studio, has appointed Greta Wynn Davies as its U.K. managing director. Davies joins CYLNDR following nearly seven years at VCCP/KIN where she was most recently deputy head of film and content at Girl&Bear. During her time at the ad agency, she oversaw film production for brands including Cadbury, Virgin, O2, TfL, and Nationwide. During her 23 years in the industry, she has held creative and film production and directing roles spanning advertising, music videos and animated series, both in the U.K. and internationally. Reporting to Sam Balderstone, head of CYLNDR Global, she will be tasked with driving the growth of CYLNDR’s production capability alongside developing a service that delivers greater business efficiencies and commercial results. In the role, which was previously held by Balderstone, Wynn Davies will lead the team of producers, directors, editors and post and audio specialists. CYLNDR has produced award-winning work for brands such as LinkedIn, Nike and Samsung. And as a key part of the Cheil’s global network proposition, Cheil Connec+, which gives clients access to bespoke teams and specialism from across Cheil’s 53 offices and six agencies globally, CYLNDR will be central to delivering high-performing, innovative solutions for clients….
Anneliese St-Amour has joined AMV BBDO in London as managing partner. She becomes part of the managing partner team alongside Alex Bird, Alice Kassapian, Nick Andrew, Richard Moloney and Tom Shattock. St-Amour joins AMV from Ogilvy after nearly 10 years running a large part of the global Dove account, where she had the opportunity to drive the creative agenda and grow the business. Under her leadership, the team has won several awards, including a 2018 Euro Effie and a 2020 Global Effie for Dove Deodorants’ “The Big Switch.” At AMV BBDO, she will lead the Bacardi and Rexona accounts….
“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