Global production studio UNIT9 has added filmmaker and screenwriter Maya Albanese to its roster of creative storytellers. UNIT9 will represent the director for commercials and branded content in the U.S. and U.K. She had been directing freelance for the past year prior to joining UNIT9. Earlier she was with production house brother for representation in the ad arena.
Albanese brings global expertise in filmmaking, branded entertainment and screenwriting to UNIT9. As a trilingual director, she has crafted work in English, Spanish and French, for brands including Disney, Warner Brothers, Chevrolet, L’Oreal, IBM, VISA, Google and more. Albanese is fresh off directing a series of magical realism spots for BIC and comedy spots for VISA, all of which combine her expertise in directing celebrity talent, visual effects and animation.
Earlier this year, she finished a dark surrealist comedy, Freeze, which she wrote and directed about women’s fertility. It stars Chris Parnell, Adrien Grenier, Mindy Sterling, Nora Zehetner, Rick Overton, Kel Mitchell and Queen Jazzmun. Freeze is an official selection of the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase at the 73rd Cannes Film Festival and is slated to screen at festivals worldwide in 2020-2021.
Albanese made one of her first major marks in the industry when in 2018 she became one of six directors chosen by the Association of Independent Commercial Producers and the Directors Guild of America for the competitive Commercial Directors Diversity Program (CDDP) fellowship. In making the final CDDP cut, Albanese earned some funding for a spec commercial, which turned out to be “History” for Georgia-Pacific. In “History,” director Albanese introduces us to a gay couple, a high school student with Down syndrome, and an immigrant to the U.S. who each receive a letter in the mail bringing life-changing news. The couple reads that its adoption of a child has been approved. The student is notified that she has been accepted to Syracuse University. And the immigrant is informed that he has been granted permanent residency status in the U.S. A supered tagline reads, “History is written on paper. Which is why paper will never be history.”
“History” went on to be honored in SHOOT’s Best of “The Best Work You May Never See” gallery in 2018, named the second best piece of work in that year’s rundown.
UNIT9 executive producer Emily Malito said of Albanese, “I knew that we needed to sign her from the moment I saw her work while she was a DGA fellow. Maya brings a unique perspective to the table and a way of telling stories that captivates audiences.”
Albanese shared, “Telling moving stories that create more inclusivity in front of and behind the camera, whether that’s women, minorities or people with disabilities, is what drives me. I believe we need to continue pushing for this now more than ever. I’m really looking forward to working with the UNIT9 team to make bold, new stories come to life onscreen. Together, I believe we can make sure that all kinds of people get to see themselves reflected in media and advertising.”
“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