ArtClass has signed filmmaker and photographer Nikki Ormerod for her first career commercial representation in the U.S. market.
With roots as a still photographer, Ormerod spread her creative wings into directing. Her innate ability to bring stylized worlds to life for commercial campaigns has earned her a Marketing Award for Heinz’s “Vintage Drip” and Andy Awards shortlist recognition for her work with KFC. Ormerod’s many photography award wins include the ADCCs, The One Show, Communication Arts, and Graphics, and a Cannes Lion for her work with SickKids.
Ormerod is a co-founding partner at the Canadian commercial production company Undivided alongside Scott Houghton. There, Ormerod helmed many films for the likes of Starbucks, H&M, Hyundai, Salvation Army, and Rupi Kaur’s appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Additionally, her robust portfolio includes spots for large Canadian brands like RBC, Villagio, Hudson North, Additionelle, Le Drew Models, and the Canadian Premier League. She has been tapped as a stills photographer for ad campaigns from Coca-Cola to Nike, Visa, Levi’s, and many more.
Ormerod said, “I was first introduced to ArtClass through Oren Kaplan, who we represent in Canada at Undivided. The producers at ArtClass and their incredible roster of talent all felt like a family who wanted to dig in and work together. I felt an immediate kinship in my first talks with Kirsten [managing director Arongino], Vincent [director/partner Peone], and Geno [managing partner Imbriale]; I knew it would be the perfect spot for me.”
“Nikki’s sensibilities as a storyteller are unmatched,” said Arongino. “Her work ranges from ethereal and fabulistic images to crafting these well-executed visual jokes, like what we see with her films for KFC. She has her spin on a story that always makes for a highly watchable, engaging film. We’re very excited to have her on board at ArtClass and honored to represent her in the U.S.”
Full Lineup Set For AFI Fest; Official Selections Span 44 Countries, Include 9 Best International Feature Oscar Submissions
The American Film Institute (AFI) has unveiled the full lineup for this yearโs AFI Fest, taking place in Los Angeles from October 23-27. Rounding out the slate of already announced titles are such highlights as September 5 directed by Tim Fehlbaum, All We Imagine As Light directed by Payal Kapadia, The Luckiest Man in America directed by Samir Oliveros (AFI Class of 2019), Zurawski v. Texas from executive producers Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton and Jennifer Lawrence and directors Maisie Crow and Abbie Perrault, and Oh, Canada directed by Paul Schrader (AFI Class of 1969). A total of 158 films are set to screen at the 38th edition of AFI Fest.
Of the official selections, 48% are directed by women and non-binary filmmakers and 26% are directed by BIPOC filmmakers.
Additional festival highlights include documentaries Architecton directed by Victor Kossakovsky; Cheech & Chongโs Last Movie directed by David Bushell; Devo directed by Chris Smith about the legendary new wave provocateurs; Gaucho Gaucho directed by Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw; Group Therapy directed by Neil Berkeley with Emmyยฎ winner Neil Patrick Harris and Tig Notaro; No Other Land directed by a Palestinian-Israeli team comprised of Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor and Hamdan Ballal; Pavements directed by Alex Ross Perry; and Separated directed by Errol Morris. Notable narrative titles include Black Dog (Gou Zen) directed by Guan Hu; Bonjour Tristesse directed by Durga Chew-Bose with Academy Awardยฎ nominee Chloรซ Sevigny; Caught By The Tides directed by Jia Zhangke; Hard Truths directed by Mike Leigh with... Read More