The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers has awarded Harald Brendel, Head of Center of Competence Image Science at Arri, with the Natalie M. and Herbert T. Kalmus Medal Award. With this prize, which has been handed out since 1956, the industry association recognizes outstanding technical achievements in film production, post-production, and film distribution.
Cherokee Nation has announced Kevin Shand as the tribe’s new film commissioner. In his new position, Shand will serve dual roles as both film commissioner for the Cherokee Nation and as the tribe’s film office manager.
Goldcrest Post sound artists were honored for Sound Editing and Sound Mixing at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards for their work on Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit.
Strong/MDI Screen Systems has appointed Dennis Pacelli national cinema sales manager for the United States, effective immediately. Pacelli brings decades of experience in global sales and business development to his new role where he will lead sales initiatives and drive new client acquisitions in the region. He will also provide strategic insight to guide business growth.
The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers has released the names of the industry leaders and innovators who will be honored at this year's SMPTE Awards Gala. "This year's honorees have done so much, in so many ways, to help our industry evolve and grow," said Hans Hoffmann, SMPTE president. "Their achievements include remarkable technical advances from image capture to display, creative solutions for increasing representation across the industry, leadership in research and education, innovation in delivering moving images to consumers around the world, and critical work in standards development. We're proud to highlight and honor their work at this year's SMPTE virtual Awards Gala."
The Women’s Weekend Film Challenge has announced the eight fellows chosen for its inaugural pilot accelerator. These eight emerging writers were selected out of 723 applicants. This October, the fellows will have the opportunity to pitch to studios, production companies and executive producers including HBO, HBO Max, Warner Horizon Television, Comedy Central, Jax Media, Berlanti Productions, Broadway Video, Blumhouse Television, Sid Gentle Films, Element Pictures, Fabel Entertainment, Tornante, Semi-Formal Productions, Good Fear Content, Clifton Campbell, Leonard Dick and Kevin Fox.
Dolby Laboratories and the award-winning nonprofit Ghetto Film School today announced the winners of the Dolby Institute x Ghetto Film School Filmmaker Challenge: Finish the Script 2021. The competition challenged GFS alumni ages 18-35 to create an original short film proposal in response to a creative prompt from award-winning filmmaker Carlos López Estrada (Blindspotting, Raya and the Last Dragon). This year’s winners include filmmakers representing four different projects Alejandra Araujo, Eleanor Cho, Christian Osagiede, and Antonio Salume and Amy B. Tiong.
National CineMedia today announced that Maria Woods has rejoined the company as executive vice president and general counsel. Woods previously served in several key leadership roles on NCM’s legal team from 2010 through 2015. She reports to NCM CEO Tom Lesinski and will be based in Denver.
Thierry Baudry has been named general manager of Éclair Versioning and Accessibility France. Prior to joining EVA, Baudry worked at the Iyuno Media Group Paris. Before that he spent thirteen years at Mediadub International and fourteen years at Dubbing Brothers.
Twickenham Film Studios, London, has named Jack Watts head of technology and standards. Managing director Cara Sheppard made the announcement. Watts’ hiring follows the appointment of Tomasz Witkowski as director of technology & engineering and head of picture Stuart Bryce.
