Mass Appeal, an urban culture-focused media and entertainment company, has added director Katya Bankowsky to its roster for commercials and branded content in the U.S.
Bankowsky, who had formerly been repped by production house Strike Anywhere, brings to Mass Appeal 15 plus years of experience, creating award-winning ads, branded entertainment and digital campaigns for clients including the WNBA, NFL, Reebok, Maserati, Verizon, the US Olympic Committee, Chase and Brazilian Brahma beer. Prior to joining Mass Appeal, she directed a piece for The New York Times on French fashion icon Michele Lamy and a web series she wrote, directed, and co-starred in with Lamy.
She most famously directed, produced and edited the 1999 award-winning feature documentary film Shadow Boxers that follows the rise of women’s boxing and tells the story of the first undefeated female world champion, Lucia Rijker. The documentary premiered at the Toronto and Berlin International film festivals, picking up awards along the festival circuit for direction, cinematography, editing and music.
“Katya brings an unparalleled grit and boldness to her work that fits into Mass Appeal’s film roster,” said Mike Lobikis, executive producer at Mass Appeal.
Bankowsky said of Mass Appeal, “Here, I’ll have the opportunity to work alongside an innovative group of people who are thinking outside of the box and are telling the stories that need to be told.”
Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door” Wins Top Prize At Venice Film Festival
Pedro Almodóvar's English-language debut "The Room Next Door," with Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, won the Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion award Saturday.
Nicole Kidman was awarded the best actress prize, for her r aw and exposing portrayal of a CEO embroiled in an affair with an intern in "Babygirl," but missed the ceremony due to the death of her mother.
The 81st edition of the festival came to a close Saturday, with the Isabelle Huppert-led jury bestowing top prizes to Brady Corbet, for directing the 215-minute post-war epic "The Brutalist" and Vincent Lindon, for his lead performance in "The Quiet Son." Lindon plays a single father whose son is radicalized by the far right.
Maura Delpero's "Vermiglio" won the Silver Lion award. The Italian-French-Belgian drama is about the last year of World War II, in which a refugee soldier happens upon a large family.
The Venice Film Festival used its closing film slot to host the world premiere of Kevin Costner's "Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 2."
There was no real consensus pick for the top prize going into the evening, and eyes were focused on what the Isabelle Huppert-led jury would bestow prizes upon this year. Many of the 21 titles playing in competition have been divisive, with passionate supporters and detractors.
"I have good news for you," Huppert said at the ceremony. "Cinema is in great shape."
Among the highest profile of the films of the festival inlcuded: Todd Phillips' "Joker: Folie à Deux," the not-a-musical-musical with Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga ; Pablo Larraín's Maria Callas film "Maria," starring Angelina Jolie as the famed soprano; the erotic thriller "Babygirl" in which Kidman gets entangled in a complicated affair with an intern,... Read More