What is the Sundance Film Festival outside of Park City?
Sundance Institute CEO Joanna Vicente has addressed the possibility of a move for the Sundance Film Festival out of Park City, where it has taken place since the early ’80s.
Vicente was the surprise guest at the live-taping of Puck founding partner Matt Belloni‘s Ringer podcast The Town. During the wide-ranging conversation that touched on everything from the Netflix acquisition of Fair Play to the five-year plan for the festival, Belloni asked Vicente about the state of negotiations for staying in Park City.
“Park City is part of Sundance,” Vicente answered. “It’s a beautiful location. It’s kind of remote. We get immersed into the festival.” At that point, Belloni interjected to say, “I feel a but coming,” adding that in his conversations with Uber drivers, restaurant employees and ski industry insiders, “They don’t like Sundance.”
“No,...
Sundance Institute CEO Joanna Vicente has addressed the possibility of a move for the Sundance Film Festival out of Park City, where it has taken place since the early ’80s.
Vicente was the surprise guest at the live-taping of Puck founding partner Matt Belloni‘s Ringer podcast The Town. During the wide-ranging conversation that touched on everything from the Netflix acquisition of Fair Play to the five-year plan for the festival, Belloni asked Vicente about the state of negotiations for staying in Park City.
“Park City is part of Sundance,” Vicente answered. “It’s a beautiful location. It’s kind of remote. We get immersed into the festival.” At that point, Belloni interjected to say, “I feel a but coming,” adding that in his conversations with Uber drivers, restaurant employees and ski industry insiders, “They don’t like Sundance.”
“No,...
- 1/23/2024
- by Chris Gardner and Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Searchlight Pictures’ vice president of national publicity Diana Loomis is leaving the studio after nearly two decades as head of its East Coast office.
Loomis will depart at the end of the summer after completing work on “Flamin’ Hot,” “Theater Camp” and “Poor Things” to launch a consulting operation specializing in theatrical and streaming releases, and awards campaigns for motion picture and streaming companies.
“I’ve had some amazing years at Searchlight with incredible, unique films — truly innovative filmmakers gravitate to this place,” Loomis said in statement on Wednesday. “I’m grateful to Nancy Utley, Steve Gilula, David Greenbaum, Matthew Greenfield, Michelle Hooper, Rebecca Kearey and, of course, our New York and Los Angeles publicity teams and looking forward to new experiences in the industry with new and old friends and colleagues.”
Loomis began her tenure at the studio — known then as Fox Searchlight Pictures — in 2006 with the release of “Little Miss Sunshine.
Loomis will depart at the end of the summer after completing work on “Flamin’ Hot,” “Theater Camp” and “Poor Things” to launch a consulting operation specializing in theatrical and streaming releases, and awards campaigns for motion picture and streaming companies.
“I’ve had some amazing years at Searchlight with incredible, unique films — truly innovative filmmakers gravitate to this place,” Loomis said in statement on Wednesday. “I’m grateful to Nancy Utley, Steve Gilula, David Greenbaum, Matthew Greenfield, Michelle Hooper, Rebecca Kearey and, of course, our New York and Los Angeles publicity teams and looking forward to new experiences in the industry with new and old friends and colleagues.”
Loomis began her tenure at the studio — known then as Fox Searchlight Pictures — in 2006 with the release of “Little Miss Sunshine.
- 7/12/2023
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
The light at the end of the pandemic box office tunnel may be in sight. Speaking during a New York Film Festival panel this week, executives from leading specialty distributors said they are going to be carefully watching the performance of upcoming movies like the wild French-language Cannes winner “Titane” and Wes Anderson’s “The French Dispatch” to help gauge the path forward.
“We’re looking very carefully at what’s happening with ‘French Dispatch’ coming in the next couple of weeks,” Michelle Hooper, Searchlight’s marketing chief, said. “On [October 22] it opens in 12 cities and then we’re going to be 50 cities the following week. I think we’re going to go faster than we originally anticipated. I think it will be a real, true test of the specialized market.”
NYFF, which wraps Sunday, offered Hooper a sense of optimism about the film. The premiere was packed, it played well,...
“We’re looking very carefully at what’s happening with ‘French Dispatch’ coming in the next couple of weeks,” Michelle Hooper, Searchlight’s marketing chief, said. “On [October 22] it opens in 12 cities and then we’re going to be 50 cities the following week. I think we’re going to go faster than we originally anticipated. I think it will be a real, true test of the specialized market.”
NYFF, which wraps Sunday, offered Hooper a sense of optimism about the film. The premiere was packed, it played well,...
- 10/5/2021
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
There was wall-to-wall star power at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills on Friday, with Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Mahershala Ali, Viggo Mortensen, and actors ranging from Elsie Fisher (age 15) to Angela Lansbury (age 93), but Spike Lee stole the show at the AFI Awards.
In opening remarks, AFI president-ceo Bob Gazzale said everyone was a winner, so he wouldn’t single out any individual, but after praising the AFI Conservatory, he noted that Lee was wearing an NYU cap, prompting Lee to stand up and say, “I applied to AFI, but I didn’t get in!” which got the biggest laugh of the afternoon.
Before the start of the luncheon, there was 90 minutes of power-schmoozing, as Alfonso Cuaron hugged Donna Langley, Ted Sarandos chatted with Sam Elliott, the “Black Panther” team mingled with “This Is Us” reps, “Pose’s” Dominique Jackson spoke to Michael B. Jordan, and FX execs accepted...
In opening remarks, AFI president-ceo Bob Gazzale said everyone was a winner, so he wouldn’t single out any individual, but after praising the AFI Conservatory, he noted that Lee was wearing an NYU cap, prompting Lee to stand up and say, “I applied to AFI, but I didn’t get in!” which got the biggest laugh of the afternoon.
Before the start of the luncheon, there was 90 minutes of power-schmoozing, as Alfonso Cuaron hugged Donna Langley, Ted Sarandos chatted with Sam Elliott, the “Black Panther” team mingled with “This Is Us” reps, “Pose’s” Dominique Jackson spoke to Michael B. Jordan, and FX execs accepted...
- 1/4/2019
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
Fox Searchlight Ups Melissa Holloway, Angela Johnson & Barry Dale Johnson To Svps National Publicity
Exclusive: Fox Searchlight Pictures Evp of Marketing Michelle Hooper announced today that Melissa Holloway, Angela Johnson and Barry Dale Johnson have each been elevated to the position of Senior Vice President of National Publicity.
The trio previously served as VP of National Publicity.
Over the last ten-plus years, the three have worked alongside Svp of National Publicity and New York office head Diana Loomis under Hooper, managing all domestic publicity functions, and working across the Searchlight slate, and leading PR campaigns for such Oscar winners as The Shape of Water, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Slumdog Millionaire, 12 Years a Slave and Birdman. Already generating awards season buzz out of the fall film festival troika is The Old Man & The Gun, Can You Ever Forgive Me? and The Favourite.
Hooper stated, “We are thrilled to bring Melissa, Angela and Barry Dale into exciting new functions within the department.” Added Loomis,...
The trio previously served as VP of National Publicity.
Over the last ten-plus years, the three have worked alongside Svp of National Publicity and New York office head Diana Loomis under Hooper, managing all domestic publicity functions, and working across the Searchlight slate, and leading PR campaigns for such Oscar winners as The Shape of Water, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Slumdog Millionaire, 12 Years a Slave and Birdman. Already generating awards season buzz out of the fall film festival troika is The Old Man & The Gun, Can You Ever Forgive Me? and The Favourite.
Hooper stated, “We are thrilled to bring Melissa, Angela and Barry Dale into exciting new functions within the department.” Added Loomis,...
- 9/19/2018
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, Mexican wrestler Blue Demon Jr. has agreed to develop film and TV projects about himself, Charlie Matthau announces a book venture and Anika Noni Rose joins “Body Cam.”
Partnership Announcement
Dan Carillo-Levy and Eugenio Villamar’s Moxie 88 has acquired the life rights to the Mexican luchador and wrestler Blue Demon Jr. to launch development of movie and television projects
Through the acquisition, Moxie 88 and Blue Demon Jr. have created Demon Worldwide to develop and produce multimedia projects. With a focus on domestic, Spanish language, and Asian territories, Moxie 88 will furnish a low-seven figure development fund that will focus on diversified stories and strategies for bringing Blue Demon stories and concepts to life in film, television, video games, cartoons, live shows and publishing.
Blue Demon first appeared in 1948. Blue Demon Jr. is the adopted son of Blue Demon and the first Mexican to win the Nwa World Heavyweight Championship.
Partnership Announcement
Dan Carillo-Levy and Eugenio Villamar’s Moxie 88 has acquired the life rights to the Mexican luchador and wrestler Blue Demon Jr. to launch development of movie and television projects
Through the acquisition, Moxie 88 and Blue Demon Jr. have created Demon Worldwide to develop and produce multimedia projects. With a focus on domestic, Spanish language, and Asian territories, Moxie 88 will furnish a low-seven figure development fund that will focus on diversified stories and strategies for bringing Blue Demon stories and concepts to life in film, television, video games, cartoons, live shows and publishing.
Blue Demon first appeared in 1948. Blue Demon Jr. is the adopted son of Blue Demon and the first Mexican to win the Nwa World Heavyweight Championship.
- 9/17/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Academy invitee Eddie Redmayne in 'The Theory of Everything.' Academy invites 322 new members: 'More diverse and inclusive list of filmmakers and artists than ever before' The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has offered membership to 322 individuals "who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures." According to the Academy's press release, "those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy's membership in 2015." In case all 322 potential new members say an enthusiastic Yes, that means an injection of new blood representing about 5 percent of the Academy's current membership. In the words of Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs (as quoted in the press release), in 2015 "our branches have recognized a more diverse and inclusive list of filmmakers and artists than ever before, and we look forward to adding their creativity, ideas and experience to our organization." In recent years, the Academy membership has...
- 7/1/2015
- by Anna Robinson
- Alt Film Guide
©Renzo Piano Building Workshop/©Studio Pali Fekete architects/©A.M.P.A.S.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced this week that the Los Angeles City Council, in a unanimous vote, approved plans for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Construction will begin this summer, and ceremonial groundbreaking festivities will occur this fall.
“I am thrilled that Los Angeles is gaining another architectural and cultural icon,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “My office of economic development has worked directly with the museum’s development team to ensure that the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will create jobs, support tourism, and pay homage to the industry that helped define our identity as the creative capital of the world.”
“We are grateful to our incredible community of supporters who have helped make this museum a reality,” said Dawn Hudson, the Academy’s CEO. “Building this museum has been an Academy...
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced this week that the Los Angeles City Council, in a unanimous vote, approved plans for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Construction will begin this summer, and ceremonial groundbreaking festivities will occur this fall.
“I am thrilled that Los Angeles is gaining another architectural and cultural icon,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “My office of economic development has worked directly with the museum’s development team to ensure that the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will create jobs, support tourism, and pay homage to the industry that helped define our identity as the creative capital of the world.”
“We are grateful to our incredible community of supporters who have helped make this museum a reality,” said Dawn Hudson, the Academy’s CEO. “Building this museum has been an Academy...
- 6/27/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Strangely dropping a press release on a historic day where the nation's attention is elsewhere, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed their annual list of new member invitees this morning. For those who criticize the makeup of the Academy there was some good news and the stark realization the organization still has a long way to go. The Academy has spent the last eight to 10 years attempting to diversify its membership and this year's class mostly reflects that. There are significantly more invitees of Asian and African-American descent, but the male to female disparity is still depressing. Out of the 25 potential new members of the Actor's Branch only seven are women. And, no, there isn't really an acceptable way for the Academy to spin that sad fact. Additionally, It's important to realize the 322 people noted in the release have only been invited to join Hollywood's most exclusive club.
- 6/26/2015
- by Gregory Ellwood
- Hitfix
More Toronto coverage
Toronto -- Like debutantes at a cotillion, movies that harbor Oscar hopes are about to be presented to the world at the 35th Toronto International Film Festival.
At first blush, many of them sport the kind of credentials that automatically get the attention of Academy voters: Danny Boyle, whose "Slumdog Millionaire" swept the Oscars in 2009 after winning the People's Choice Award in Toronto, is back with his newest film, "127 Hours"; double Oscar winner Hilary Swank will stake her claim for further consideration with the crusading legal drama "Conviction"; and Colin Firth, who was nominated last year for "A Single Man," is auditioning for back-to-back noms for his latest, "The King's Speech," in which he plays a stammering King George VI.
"Every movie is different," said Sony Pictures Classics co-head Michael Barker, who's shepherding nine films through the Toronto juggernaut. Some -- such as Mike Leigh's "Another Year,...
Toronto -- Like debutantes at a cotillion, movies that harbor Oscar hopes are about to be presented to the world at the 35th Toronto International Film Festival.
At first blush, many of them sport the kind of credentials that automatically get the attention of Academy voters: Danny Boyle, whose "Slumdog Millionaire" swept the Oscars in 2009 after winning the People's Choice Award in Toronto, is back with his newest film, "127 Hours"; double Oscar winner Hilary Swank will stake her claim for further consideration with the crusading legal drama "Conviction"; and Colin Firth, who was nominated last year for "A Single Man," is auditioning for back-to-back noms for his latest, "The King's Speech," in which he plays a stammering King George VI.
"Every movie is different," said Sony Pictures Classics co-head Michael Barker, who's shepherding nine films through the Toronto juggernaut. Some -- such as Mike Leigh's "Another Year,...
- 9/9/2010
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
TOH Telluride correspondent Meredith Brody reports seeing on Saturday night "somebody being taken out on a gurney from the Galaxy" showing of 127 Hours starring James Franco and later that night at a second screening of the Danny Boyle film, "ambulances with multicolored flashing lights pulling into the Palm." Fox Searchlight's Michelle Hooper reports back as follows: From what I understand, an older gentleman was light-headed at the first screening (Galaxy) and the medics helped him calm down. Second screening at the Palm was a young woman (maybe 19 or 20) who had a panic attack. Paramedics attended to both people. I didn't even know about the second incident until after the screening was over and someone told me (I was sitting in the first half of the theater). ...
- 9/5/2010
- Thompson on Hollywood
Note to vendors: watch out because Larry Baldauf used to be one of you and a Navy fighter pilot as well. But the new Evp of Marketing effective early March was most recently a founding partner of Hollywood-based advertising agency Acme Trailer Company. “Fox Searchlight is the only studio that could possibly have tempted me to leave a partnership and owner position in my own company," said Baldauf who worked on many Searchlight films as a vendor himself. He succeeds Stephanie Allen. He'll jointly manage with Fox Searchlight's other Evp of Marketing Michelle Hooper.
- 2/5/2010
- by Nikki Finke
- Deadline Hollywood
Dan Pittman has been promoted from vp, media at Fox Searchlight to senior vp, media.
He reports to executive vps of marketing Stephanie Allen and Michelle Hooper, who announced the promotion Wednesday.
Pittman oversees all aspects of media research, planning and buying for all Searchlight theatrical marketing campaigns.
"Dan's creativity and expertise make him an invaluable asset to Searchlight. He has continually proven himself to be an innovative and forward thinker," Allen and Hooper said.
Pittman joined Searchlight in 2004 as a media manager, was promoted to media director in 2006 and to vp of media in 2007. He has worked on the marketing campaigns for such films as "Napoleon Dynamite," "Sideways," "Little Miss Sunshine," "Once," "Juno," "Slumdog Millionaire," "The Wrestler," "Notorious" and "(500) Days of Summer."...
He reports to executive vps of marketing Stephanie Allen and Michelle Hooper, who announced the promotion Wednesday.
Pittman oversees all aspects of media research, planning and buying for all Searchlight theatrical marketing campaigns.
"Dan's creativity and expertise make him an invaluable asset to Searchlight. He has continually proven himself to be an innovative and forward thinker," Allen and Hooper said.
Pittman joined Searchlight in 2004 as a media manager, was promoted to media director in 2006 and to vp of media in 2007. He has worked on the marketing campaigns for such films as "Napoleon Dynamite," "Sideways," "Little Miss Sunshine," "Once," "Juno," "Slumdog Millionaire," "The Wrestler," "Notorious" and "(500) Days of Summer."...
Fox Searchlight is promoting three marketing and distribution executives and renewed their contracts as well.
Michelle Hooper and Stephanie Allen have been promoted to executive vps marketing, and Sheilah DeLoach has been promoted to executive vp distribution.
The three will report to Searchlight presidents Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley.
Before joining Searchlight in 2000, Allen worked at Seiniger Advertising, Orion Pictures and TriStar. DeLoach, who joined Searchlight in 1997, had stints at Columbia, Fox and Orion. Hooper, who became part of the Searchlight team in 2006, worked at CBS and Fox Broadcasting.
Michelle Hooper and Stephanie Allen have been promoted to executive vps marketing, and Sheilah DeLoach has been promoted to executive vp distribution.
The three will report to Searchlight presidents Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley.
Before joining Searchlight in 2000, Allen worked at Seiniger Advertising, Orion Pictures and TriStar. DeLoach, who joined Searchlight in 1997, had stints at Columbia, Fox and Orion. Hooper, who became part of the Searchlight team in 2006, worked at CBS and Fox Broadcasting.
- 8/12/2009
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fox Searchlight owned the stage at the Kodak Theatre on Sunday, winning eight Oscars, more than any other studio, mini-major or specialty division. It culminated a remarkable six months whose outcome would have been impossible to predict at the start of this unpredictable awards season.
With few acquisitions or productions on its 2008 slate, the Peter Rice-run company didn't look as if it was in a position to repeat its Academy Awards feats of the past two years. In successive years, it had won best original screenplay and landed best picture nominations for "Little Miss Sunshine" (in 2006) and last year's "Juno."
Searchlight's fall release schedule had only the ensemble Southern drama "The Secret Life of Bees," a respectable commercial proposition that nevertheless was unlikely to score much gold.
But things turned around just before Labor Day.
First, Searchlight sealed a deal to reunite with Danny Boyle and pick up the Warner Bros.
With few acquisitions or productions on its 2008 slate, the Peter Rice-run company didn't look as if it was in a position to repeat its Academy Awards feats of the past two years. In successive years, it had won best original screenplay and landed best picture nominations for "Little Miss Sunshine" (in 2006) and last year's "Juno."
Searchlight's fall release schedule had only the ensemble Southern drama "The Secret Life of Bees," a respectable commercial proposition that nevertheless was unlikely to score much gold.
But things turned around just before Labor Day.
First, Searchlight sealed a deal to reunite with Danny Boyle and pick up the Warner Bros.
- 2/23/2009
- by By Steven Zeitchik
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Diana Loomis is joining Fox Searchlight as senior vp East Coast publicity. The announcement was made Monday by Michelle Hooper, senior vp national publicity and promotions. Loomis, who is located in New York, will report to Los Angeles-based Hooper. Loomis spent the past nine years at DreamWorks, where she headed the New York publicity department. Also in Searchlight's New York office, James Finn has been upped to vp. Finn, who will report to Loomis, most recently was executive director of national publicity at Fox Searchlight.
- 9/19/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Diana Loomis is joining Fox Searchlight as senior vp East Coast publicity. The announcement was made Monday by Michelle Hooper, senior vp national publicity and promotions. Loomis, who is located in New York, will report to Los Angeles-based Hooper. Loomis spent the past nine years at DreamWorks, where she headed the New York publicity department. Also in Searchlight's New York office, James Finn has been upped to vp. Finn, who will report to Loomis, most recently was executive director of national publicity at Fox Searchlight.
- 9/18/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As part of a reorganization of Fox Broadcasting Co.'s publicity department, Shannon Ryan has been promoted to oversee entertainment publicity for the network. Ryan has been named vp entertainment publicity, succeeding Michelle Hooper, who recently moved to Fox Searchlight Pictures as senior vp national publicity and promotions. Ryan, who joined Fox in 1994, will oversee the network's entertainment publicity team and will be responsible for developing national campaigns for Fox's series and specials.
- 5/30/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fox Searchlight Pictures has tapped Michelle Hooper to be senior vp national publicity and promotions. She will join the specialty division May 31 and report to chief operating officer Nancy Utley. Hooper joins Searchlight after working for four years at Fox Broadcasting as vp entertainment publicity. While at Fox Broadcasting, Hooper was responsible for supervising the network's publicity staff as well as managing all aspects of entertainment publicity, including the implementation of national publicity campaigns for such series as American Idol, 24 and Prison Break. Before Fox, she was director of entertainment communications at CBS Entertainment, where she was responsible for oversaw campaigns for the company's primetime programming.
- 5/16/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.