UTA Hires Three Agents in Production Arts Division – Film News in Brief

UTA announced three key hires in its Production Arts division: New York City-based Fatima Wilson, Los Angeles-based Tanisha Whiting and London-based Georgina Wahed. All three will report to Partner & Head of Productions Arts, Pete Franciosa.

The arrival of Wilson and Whiting marks a new focus area for Production Arts: representation for choreographers working in television, film, live events and commercials. Both come from the dance-focused Bloc Talent Agency, and will develop the choreography and dance roster in Production Arts at UTA.

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Whiting returns to UTA after beginning her career at the company’s mailroom. Her recent work as a Vice President and Partner at Bloc Talent Agency included developing new talent, as well as placing her clients into projects connected to Kendrick Lamar, Usher and Jennifer Lopez.

Wilson was most recently Head of Choreography, Commercial and Dance at Bloc agency’s New York City office where she focused on providing choreographers and dancers to film, television, live events and commercials. She placed clients on tours with artists such as Lizzo, Beyonce, Cardi B, Rihanna and more.

Wahed joins Production Arts in London, where she will focus on clients working in television and film. She brings an array of experience, including starting her career as a production assistant on the set of “Harry Potter,” and working at Liverpool Football Club where she negotiated contracts with some of the biggest brands in the world. She most recently worked in talent management in the UK.

Gotham Awards to Honor Late Actor Sidney Poitier with Icon Tribute

The Gotham Film & Media Institute announced that late filmmaker, activist and Academy Award-winning actor Sidney Poitier will receive the Icon Tribute posthumously during the 32nd annual Gotham Awards ceremony on Monday, November 28 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.

The announcement of this year’s Icon Tribute follows the release of critically-acclaimed documentary film “Sidney,” which had its world premiere during a gala presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released on Apple TV+ in September. The documentary has since won best biographical documentary at the Critics Choice Documentary Awards.

The Gotham Awards Advisory Committee started the Gotham Icon Tribute in 2021, seeking to call attention to the boldness, artistry and impact of a filmmaker from a historically-excluded community whose work has not been previously recognized by the organization. Playwright and filmmaker Kathleen Collins was honored the tribute last year.

Poitier’s Gotham Icon Tribute will be presented by “Devotion” actor Jonathan Majors, along with “Sidney” director Reginald Hudlin and producer Derik Murray, to members of the Poitier family.

“Punk Rock Vegan Movie” to Open 29th Slamdance Film Festival

The 29th Slamdance Film Festival has announced the festival’s opening night film, “Punk Rock Vegan Movie,” directed by Moby, and a new partnership with the University of Utah for the first in-person showcase of the Unstoppable program.

The film follows the relationship between the worlds of punk rock and animal rights, featuring interviews with Ian Mackaye, HR, Dave Navarro, Ray Cappo, Steve Ignorant and Captain Sensible.

“‘Punk Rock Vegan Movie’ was created to shine a light on the surprising and inspiring history of punk rock and animal rights, but also to remind people of the importance and desperate urgency of adopting the uncompromising ethics and actions of the original punk rock activist,” Moby said in a statement about his directorial debut.

“After it makes its world premiere at Slamdance, it’s yours,” the rocker continued, announcing his plan to release the movie for free. “It’s my goal to give the movie away, as I can’t in good conscience try to profit from what is essentially a labor of love and activism.”

The lineup for the 2023 Unstoppable program includes feature films and shorts of various genres from creators with visible and non-visible disabilities, as well as filmmaker panels and Q&As. The program is free and open to the public, running Jan. 23-25.

The 2023 Slamdance Film Festival will take place in person from Jan. 20-26 and online on the Slamdance Channel from Jan. 23-29.

Critics Choice Documentary Award Winners Announced

The Critics Choice Association unveiled the winners of the Seventh Annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards at a gala event in New York City on Sunday, November 13. “Good Night Oppy” took home five trophies in all, including the top award of the evening — Gold for Best Documentary Feature.

Read below for the full list of winners:

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Gold: “Good Night Oppy” (Amazon Studios)

Silver: “Fire of Love” (National Geographic Documentary Films/Neon)

Bronze: “Navalny” (HBO Max/CNN Films/Warner Bros. Pictures)

BEST DIRECTOR

Ryan White – “Good Night Oppy” (Amazon Studios)

BEST FIRST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

David Siev – “Bad Axe” (IFC Films)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

The Cinematography Team – “Our Great National Parks” (Netflix)

BEST EDITING

Brett Morgen – “Moonage Daydream” (Neon/HBO Documentary Films)

BEST SCORE

Blake Neely – “Good Night Oppy” (Amazon Studios)

BEST NARRATION

“Good Night Oppy” (Amazon Studios)

Written by Helen Kearns, Ryan White

Performed by Angela Bassett

BEST ARCHIVAL DOCUMENTARY

“Fire of Love” (National Geographic Documentary Films/Neon)

BEST HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARY

“Descendant” (Netflix)

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL DOCUMENTARY

“Sidney” (Apple TV+)

BEST MUSIC DOCUMENTARY

“The Beatles: Get Back” (Disney+)

BEST POLITICAL DOCUMENTARY

“Navalny” (HBO Max/CNN Films/Warner Bros. Pictures)

BEST SCIENCE/NATURE DOCUMENTARY

“Good Night Oppy” (Amazon Studios)

BEST SPORTS DOCUMENTARY (TIE)

“Citizen Ashe” (HBO Max/CNN Films)

“Welcome to Wrexham” (FX)

BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY

“Nuisance Bear” (The New Yorker Studios)

BEST LIMITED DOCUMENTARY SERIES

“The Beatles: Get Back” (Disney+)

BEST ONGOING DOCUMENTARY SERIES

“30 for 30” (ESPN)

Patton Oswalt to Host MPSE Golden Reel Awards

The Motion Picture Sound Editors announced that actor, comedian and author Patton Oswalt will host the 70th MPSE Golden Reel Awards. Honoring outstanding achievement in sound editing, the Golden Reel Awards will take place on Sunday, February 26 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles.

“Like other below the line crafts, sound editing doesn’t get the praise and acknowledgement it deserves,” Oswalt said. “Sound editors use their creativity to bring entire worlds to life. It’s the sound, as much as anything else, that immerses the viewer in the story. Sound editors are so critical to any finished project that I am happy to celebrate them at this landmark 70th Golden Reel Awards.”

The upcoming Golden Reel Awards will be the first live ceremony in three years. The ceremony will include surprise guests and features as the entertainment industry’s leading sound organization celebrates its 70th year in recognizing the outstanding creative accomplishments of those who practice the craft.

13th Annual Hollywood Music In Media Award Winners Announced

The Hollywood Music in Media Awards presented their HMMA winners at their 13th Annual Awards Ceremony at the Avalon on Wednesday, November 16. The HMMAs honors composers, songwriters and music supervisors for their work in music for film, television, and videogames.

Read the full list of winners below:

SCORE – FEATURE FILM

• Terence Blanchard – “THE WOMAN KING”

SCORE – ANIMATED FILM

• Alexandre Desplat – “GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO”

SCORE – SCI-FI FILM

• Danny Elfman – “DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS”

SCORE – FANTASY FILM

• Simon Franglen – “AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER”

SCORE – HORROR/THRILLER FILM

• Michael Abels – “NOPE”

SCORE – DOCUMENTARY

• Jessica Jones – “THE TINDER SWINDLER”

SCORE – INDEPENDENT FILM

• Emilie Levienaise – Farrouch – “LIVING”

SCORE – INDEPENDENT FILM (FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

• Carlo Siliotto – CUANDO SEA JOVEN (Spanish)

SONG – FEATURE FILM

• “Lift Me Up” from “BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER”. Written by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, and Ludwig Göransson. Performed by Rihanna.

SONG – ANIMATED FILM

• “Ciao Papa” from “GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO”. Written by Alexandre Desplat, Lyrics by Roeben Katz and Guillermo del Toro. Performed by Gregory Mann

SONG – DOCUMENTARY FILM

• “Ready As I’ll Never Be” from “THE RETURN OF TANYA TUCKER” – FEATURING BRANDI CARLILE. Written by Brandi Carlile and Tanya Tucker. Performed by Tanya Tucker.

SONG – INDEPENDENT FILM

• “Applause” from “TELL IT LIKE A WOMAN.” Written by Diane Warren. Performed by Sofia Carson.

SONG – ONSCREEN PERFORMANCE

• “Love Is Not Love” from “BROS” – Billy Eichner

MUSIC THEMED FILM, BIOPIC OR MUSICAL

• “TÁR”- Produced by Todd Field, Scott Lambert, Alexandra Milchan. Directed by Todd Field.

MUSIC DOCUMENTARY/SPECIAL PROGRAM

• “KILLING ME SOFTLY WITH HIS SONGS” – Directed by Danny Gold.

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