Clay Epstein’s Film Mode Entertainment and producers Anne Clements (Stage Mother, Quinceañera), and Ash Christian (After Everything, Burn) have announced the lead cast for As Sick As They Made Us. The new comedy-drama, which is the screenwriting and directorial debut of Big Bang Theory’s star Mayim Bialik, is about a successful divorced mother of two … Continue reading “Hoffman, Bergen join ‘As Sick as They Made Us’”
Cinémoi TV has acquired the worldwide rights (excluding Asia) to the compelling short film The Power of Beauty, part of the feature-length documentary Tomorrow and The Butterfly, directed by award-winning Italian filmmaker Alessandro Soetje and produced by Soetje and sustainable global beauty brand Davines. Currently on the festival circuit, Tomorrow and The Butterfly is comprised … Continue reading “Cinémoi TV acquires short film ‘The Power of Beauty’”
The Heartland International Film Festival announced the filmmaker award winners for the film festival’s 28th edition during an Awards Brunch on Saturday, October 19. The Grand Prize for Best Narrative Feature (and a cash prize of $15,000) went to Bora Kim’s House of Hummingbird, with one of the film’s stars, Seung-Yun Lee on hand to … Continue reading “Heartland Int’l Film Fest announces winners”
CDDP Program Director Tamika Lamison should be proud. Last night, marked the debut of the five fellows who just finished The Commercial Directors Diversity Program at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Theater in Hollywood. CDDP is a joint effort between the Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP) and the Directors Guild of … Continue reading “2019 CDDP fellows debut spec spots at gala”
6,000 submissions, 400 official selections, and 10 days later, the HollyShorts Film Festival announced their top 36 prizes for their landmark 15th year. This past Saturday in Hollywood, three of the festival’s films officially became qualified to make a run at 2020 Oscar gold. Last year, Skin, famously went on to win the Academy Award … Continue reading “Hollyshorts announces Oscar-qualifying winners”
New York-based Transform Films has appointed Emmy award-winning film and television industry veteran Beth Fraikorn, as Head of Content, Development and Partnerships. Nick Stuart, CEO and President of Transform Films, announced this change on May 30. The move signals a more definitive push by the brand—known for producing independent, critically acclaimed documentary films—to expand into … Continue reading “Transform Films names Beth Fraikorn Head of Content”
Agency created Nike’s first-ever podcast, Trained, featuring conversations around the future of fitness Independent digital creative agency AnalogFolk, in partnership with podcast production company Pineapple Street Media, announced today that they’ve been nominated in the 23rd Annual Webby Awards for “Best Branded Podcast or Segment” for their Trained By Nike podcast. Hailed as the “Internet’s … Continue reading “AnalogFolk & Nike podcast nominated for Webby Award”
Human trafficking is a hot topic today. The family film, Unbridled, which opened in select theaters nationwide on January 18, seeks to delicately tackle the issue. Founded in 2005, Cinespots is a Silicon Valley-based film-distributor that delivers content that allows exhibitors to serve their local communities. The company announced that they’ve partnered with Moving Visions … Continue reading “New family horse film takes on human trafficking”
The American Film Institute has announced the film and TV honorees of the AFI Awards 2018, celebrating the year’s most outstanding achievements in the art of the moving image — with 10 films and 10 television programs deemed culturally and artistically significant. In addition to the 20 honorees, AFI also recognized Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma with … Continue reading “‘Black Panther’ and ‘Saul’ among 2018 AFI honorees”
Longtime journalist spent almost 30 years at NBC 5 before retiring in 2009 The Chicago broadcasting community has lost an icon. Award-winning journalist, WMAQ (NBC 5) anchor and teacher, Warner Saunders, passed away yesterday. He was 83. According to his wife, Saunders collapsed Tuesday night and was taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital where he was … Continue reading “Legendary Chicago anchor Warner Saunders”
Al Pacino’s haunting portrayal of Joe Paterno was snubbed. SNL’s Keenan Thompson and Aidy Bryant were nominated for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress, respectively. Although David Lynch’s 18-episode Twin Peaks was nominated for 9 Emmy’s, the series was largely ignored in major categories. Netflix dethroned HBO as most nominated network. Jesus. He was … Continue reading “From handmaids to Jesus, the Emmys announce noms”
Saturday Morning brings on new partner Saturday Morning, the fantastic initiative launched in the summer of 2016 by black creative leaders Keith Cartwright, Geoff Edwards, Jayanta Jenkins and Jimmy Smith is expanding its team with the arrival of new partner lead Deja Cox. “As we grow, we will continue to add talented and dedicated leaders … Continue reading “Saturday AM, Phenomenon, MOR, MelodyGun, Adolescent”
Brenda Robinson is an entertainment attorney and Chicago native who currently serves as Director of Business Development for the Los Angeles law firm Greenberg Glusker LLP. Brenda’s prior law practice focused on intellectual property and entertainment matters on behalf of clients in the music, film and television industries. Throughout her career, Brenda has provided counsel … Continue reading “Reel Women: Brenda Robinson, Attorney & Philanthropist”
Chicago once again proved that the city possesses a great wealth of talent as comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani and wife, writer Emily V. Gordon, took home Best Comedy for their addictive interracial romantic comedy, The Big Sick, at the 233rd Annual Critics Choice Awards in Los Angeles. The awards are bestowed annually by the … Continue reading “Chicagocentric “Big Sick” wins Critics Choice Award”
Doner LA feasts on Del Monte Doner LA is starting off its 2018 pretty much the same way it ended its 2017 – with a win. The shop has now been named lead agency for California-based Del Monte Foods, one of the nation’s largest producers, distributors and marketers of premium quality, branded food products, following … Continue reading “Reel LA: Doner, Deutsch, PGA, WGA in the news”
There were many smiling faces at the 59th annual regional Emmy Awards Saturday night. Sponsored by the Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the awards show was streamed live on WGN-TV.com from the Swissotel Hotel. Both Potenza Productions and Daily Planet Productions, Ltd came away with Emmys. Potenza — which … Continue reading “Potenza and Daily Planet win Chicago Emmys”
The Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy Arts and Sciences announced nominees last Thursday night at Rockit Bar and Grill. Hosted by WCIU’s “The Jam” team of Jordan Cornette, Danielle Robay and Felicia Lawrence, nominations were announced in a total of twenty-eight categories. Among those nominated were Ogilvy, Chicago, who has been tearing up awards … Continue reading “Daily Planet, Potenza, SCC among Emmy noms”
Independent agency The Escape Pod announced today that it has promoted Leah Hattendorf to Senior Vice President, Director of Strategy. In her new role, Leah will continue to lead The Escape Pod’s Research and Strategy group, in addition to spearheading new business efforts and building out additional revenue streams for the agency.
