Girl Culture Films has brought Tori Palmatier aboard its leadership team as managing director, a new role at the commercial production house. Palmatier will be responsible for guiding Girl Culture Films’ evolution and driving new creative and business opportunities as the company continues to grow.
Girl Culture Films was founded in 2019 by award-winning filmmaker Lauren Greenfield to address the advertising industry’s surging demand for A-list female and gender non-conforming directors who bring world-class storytelling, authentic voices, and diverse perspectives to the table. It is the sister company of photography and visual art studio INSTITUTE. Girl Culture Films’ directorial roster in the commercial and branded content space includes Catherine Hardwicke, Karyn Kiyoko Kusama, Juliana Curi, Marina Zenovich, Heidi Ewing, Liz Unna, Ro Haber, Claire Edmondson, Barbara Kopple, Nanfu Wang, and Peggy Sirota.
Palmatier brings a wealth of advertising experience across both sales and creative production, plus a successful track record of building up new companies to their next level of growth. She began her career at RSA Films in New York handling sales and talent representation under Trevor King. There, alongside Michael Di Girolamo, she helped establish Hey Wonderful, RSA’s in-house integrated production company within the Ridley Scott Creative Group, eventually moving to Los Angeles in a creative producer role straddling both Hey Wonderful and RSA Films. (Hey Wonderful has since become an independent shop.) She then joined 72andSunny’s Hecho Studios shortly after it launched as a standalone creative studio, working with Tom Dunlap, Gui Borchert, and Briony McCarthy to drive new business development as the company grew into its next iteration. In her next role, Palmatier served as managing director/executive producer at Namesake Content, where she led the young company to international growth and curated a more diverse talent roster.
“Tori is sharp and such a go-getter, with a proven talent for understanding the essence of a company and harnessing that in ways that lead to success and continued growth,” shared Frank Evers, co-founder and president, Girl Culture Films and INSTITUTE. “She has also always sought out underrepresented talent and worked hard behind the scenes to diversify our industry, which is so important to us at Girl Culture.”
“I love the artistic sensibility and authenticity of Girl Culture’s work – every director brings such deep and engaging storytelling and visuals, as we strive to support the true auteurs in our dynamic industry,” said Palmatier. “Girl Culture has already been a transformative force, and I’m excited and honored to collaborate with Lauren and Frank as we chart the company’s future.”
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More