“Still Working 9 to 5,” the 2022 documentary that uses the ideas raised 1980’s “9 to 5” as a way to explore inequality in the workplace, will have its L.A. premiere May 29 at the Renberg Theatre in Hollywood in partnership with the ERA.
“Still Working 9 to 5” follows the journey of women in the workplace and looks at the continuing inequality over the past 40 years. It’s directed and produced by Camille Hardman and Gary Lane.
Alyssa Milano will present the ERA Coalition Trailblazer Awards to “9 to 5” stars Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton at the screening. Fonda and Tomlin are confirmed to attend, while Parton will accept her award by a prerecorded video from Nashville.
A panel discussion with Tomlin and Fonda about the documentary, women’s rights and the importance of the ERA passing this election year will be hosted by Zakia Thomas, the president of the ERA Coalition.
Additional confirmed guests to attend include Cher, Rosie O’Donnell, Kathy Griffin, Donna Mills, Frances Fisher, Maxine Waters, Chastity Saunders, Mercedes Blanche and Eren Legend. There will also be a tribute to the late “9 to 5” co-star Dabney Coleman.
Art Directors Guild Elects First All-Female Executive Board, Dina Lipton Named as President
The Art Directors Guild has elected Dina Lipton as its president, replacing Nelson Coates who was at the helm of the guild for over eight years.
In Lipton’s new role, she will lead a 20-member executive board and for the first time in ADG’s history, the four top-ranking members are all women. The executive officers include senior set designer Kristen Davis as vice president, supervising art director Helen Harwell as treasurer and art director/senior set designer Judy Cosgrove is reelected as secretary.
“Celebrating the results of our elections this year, we’re excited to highlight the milestone of electing all-female executive officers for the first time in the guild’s herstory,” says Chuck Parker, ADG national executive director. “I look forward to the leadership they will provide over the next three years.”
ADG was first established in 1937 and represents 3,300 members who work in the film, TV and theater industries as production designers and art directors, set designers and model makers.
All four officers will serve three-year terms starting June 1.
Tribeca Festival 2024 Unveils Artists for Immersive Program In Collaboration with Mercer Labs
Tribeca Festival 2024 and Mercer Labs have unveiled their lineup of digital artists for a new immersive exhibition that will run June 6-17 at the Mercer Labs Museum of Art and Technology.
The exhibit will feature eight large-scale artworks from artists Memo Akten, Wen-Yee Hsieh, ScanLAB Projects, Robertina Šebjanič, Liam Young and Sutu. Their works will rotate in Mercer Labs’ exhibition spaces in three presentations: “Body In The World,” “Redesigning Tomorrow” and “Far From Nature.”
“The function of art is to see the world with new eyes; to motivate our community to consistently challenge and reinvent the world around us,” said Mercer Labs co-founder and artist Roy Nachum. “Mercer Labs gives life back to the museum experience, continuing the story and creating a new cycle.”
“At Tribeca, we’ve transformed our immersive offerings to meet the growing demand for expansive experiences,” said Tribeca Co-Founder and CEO Jane Rosenthal. “As artists transition from digital platforms to live audiences, we’ve embraced the opportunity to explore new avenues in immersive programming. Our curated showcase, in collaboration with Mercer Labs, features exclusive works from renowned artists across diverse disciplines. This marks a significant milestone in festival history and continues Tribeca’s commitment to innovation, creativity and technology.”
Hollywood Cinema Production Resources Names Ashlee Hypolite as Its Executive Director
Hollywood Cinema Production Resources’ (Hollywood CPR) board of directors names Ashlee Hypolite as its new executive director.
Hollywood CPR is a nonprofit that creates opportunities for employment and provides accessible workforce training for students from underrepresented communities. As executive director, Hypolite will lead the industry’s first union-recognized below-the-line career pathway training program. She will manage film and TV studios, nonprofit organizations, community colleges, industry leaders and partnerships with unions.
“I am thrilled to step into the role of executive director at Hollywood CPR. I am inspired by the stories of our students and the impact they have on our industry,” Hypolite said. “I look forward to building upon the organization’s 27 years of experience and partnering with other impact-driven organizations creating pipelines into the entertainment industry.”
Before joining Hollywood CPR, Hypolite created social impact initiatives for Range Media Partners and Project 68. She’s also worked at Creative Artists Agency and contributed to Time’s Up, CAA Amplify, Full Story Initiative and the CAA Alumni network.
The National Association of Latino Independent Producers Sets 25th Annual Media Summit for June 27-28
The National Association of Latino Independent Producers has set the date and location for their 25th annual NALIP Media Summit titled “The Time is Now: Redefining Horizons.” The two-day conference is scheduled for June 27-28 at the NeueHouse in Hollywood.
“NALIP’s 25th Media Summit embarks on a transformative journey of empowerment and inspiration. Charting a course to amplify Latinx voices and reshape the narrative, this event is our pivotal moment,” said Diana Luna, executive director of NALIP. “Seize the reins, for the future starts here and now. Together, we take a step towards shaping an inclusive and vibrant landscape, redefining horizons and inspiring change that resonates for the next 25 years and beyond.”
Co-Founder and President of Firelight Media Marcia Smith to Step Down At the End of 2024
Non-profit filmmaking company Firelight Media revealed that its co-founder and president Marcia Smith will step down once a successor is chosen. Smith co-founded the organization with her partner Stanley Nelson and has overseen the company over the past two decades. A search will begin this month to identify a new president.
Firelight Media is also an artist support organization offering several fellowship, grant, production and impact programs for documentary filmmakers of color at all stages of their careers. Smith built a pipeline for emerging filmmakers to help them establish sustainable careers in the nonfiction film industry through public and commercial media by forging program partnerships with PBS and commercial streamers like Hulu.
Smith has also produced and written several films under the Firelight Films production company banner, including “Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom,” “Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities,” “Through the Fire: The Legacy of Barack Obama” and more. She received a Primetime Emmy nomination and won the Writers’ Guild Award for best nonfiction writing for her work on “The Murder of Emmett Till.”
Firelight Media plans to appoint a new leader ahead of 2025. The search will be led by the company’s board of directors and assisted by the executive recruitment firm Koya Partners | Diversified Search Group.
The American Society of Cinematographers Re-elects Shelly Johnson as President
Shelly Johnson was re-elected to serve his second term as president of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC).
ASC serves to inspire the next generation of cinematographers and advance filmmaking through industry events and initiatives. Johnson has been a member of ASC since 2000 and is currently on the executive committee for the Cinematographers Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Johnson’s film credits include “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “Jurassic Park III,” “Sky High,” “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters,” “The Wolfman” and more.
“As we are accustomed to doing on-set, cinematographers lead by example. We hope that the ASC’s outreach of support, education, and collaborative spirit will continue to set the tone that helps facilitate a positive and rewarding future,” Johnson said.
The board of governors also elected Charlie Lieberman, Patti Lee and Cynthia Pusheck as vice presidents, Charles Minsky as treasurer, Dejan Georgevich as secretary and sergeant-at-arms Chris Chomyn.
The American Pavilion Announces 2024 Emerging Filmmaker Showcase Winners at Cannes Film Festival
The American Pavilion has announced the Jury Award winners of the 2024 Emerging Filmmakers Showcase presented by Gold House at the Cannes Film Festival. Showcase winners were selected by a jury comprised of agents, managers, producers, industry members and a team from Gold House.
The winning films will screen at The American Library in Paris May 28. See the list of winners below.
Gold House Cultural Impact Award – “Nate and John” – Director: Jumai Yusuf
Best LGBTQ+ Showcase Film – “El Paisa” – Director: Daniel Eduvijes Carrera
Emerging Filmmaker Showcase – “Under the Blue” – Directors: Linda Ludwig, James Curle
Documentary – “Spear. Spatula. Submarine.” – Director: Shannon Morrall
Student Film – “Ojue” – Director: Fernando Alberto Broce
Student Documentary – “Sar: Search and Rescue” – Director: Tristan Owen