PEAK honors Pasifika women in Hollywood

The American Film Institute has announced that the 2024 AFI Awards will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, and honorees will be revealed in December.

The AFI Awards are an annual celebration of the collaborative nature of film and television, honoring those who work in front of and behind the camera. AFI Prize winners are selected through a jury process in which AFI trustees, artists, critics, and scholars identify the year’s most notable achievements and provide artistic and cultural context for each selection.

Among the films honored at last year’s AFI Awards were films such as “American Fiction,” “Barbie” and “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and television series such as “The Bear,” “Abbot Elementary” and “Beef.”

PEAK honors Pacifica women in Hollywood with Auli’i Cravalho, Sasha Colby and Naomi Scott

Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti has announced that its PEAK Talks panel will be held in Los Angeles on May 1. The panel, sponsored by Amazon MGM Studios, will include “Moana” and “Mean Girls” actress Auli’i Cravalho, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Sasha Colby and Great Scott Productions founder Naomi Scott. Dana LeDoux Miller, screenwriter of “Moana 2” and “Thai Cave Rescue” and co-founder of PEAK, will moderate the session.

“May is AAPI Heritage Month, yet you will find that Pasifika (or Pacific Islander) people are rarely prioritized and are often erased in celebrations even though we are mentioned in them,” said Christian Vannin-Schmidt, co-founder and executive director of PEAK. “. “Most AAPI organizations don’t have Pasifika staff or even board members, which is why PEAK exists. We are the only Pasifika-led organization doing this work that will advocate for us the way we do. We are all about amplifying our most marginalized voices, so in This event, it made perfect sense to highlight our women who are the backbone of our communities, yet suffer the greatest disparity when it comes to opportunities and wages.

The talanoa, or discussion, will focus on issues specific to Pasifika women and their journeys in the entertainment industry. Also highlighted will be the accomplishments of Cravalho, who starred as the first Pacific Islander Disney Princess, Colby, who was the first Pacific Islander to win RuPaul’s Drag Race, Scott, who is the only Chamorro woman producer in Hollywood, and Ledoux Miller, who was the first Samoan director in Hollywood with ‘Thai Cave Rescue’.

Focus Features to award Best Picture and a $10,000 prize at the USC School of Cinematic Arts’ 2024 First Look Film Showcase

Focus Features will award a Best Picture award and a $10,000 cash prize to the winning short film at the USC School of Cinematic Arts’ First Look Film Exhibition. The event will take place on April 11.

The First Look Gallery is the culmination of productions by current students and recently graduated alumni that were completed last year. The 64 films included compelling stories about identity, motherhood, immigration, love, childhood, self-reflection, and more.

Panavision will sponsor a First Look Pitch & Panel session where 5 finalists will be selected to present live in front of an industry panel. The winner will receive a Panavision New Filmmaker Program Equipment Grant for a camera rental package and optics valued at $15,000.

“We are very grateful to Focus Features and Panavision for their inspiring support of our emerging filmmakers,” said Miles O’Shea, senior career services advisor for SCA’s Office of Industrial Relations. “They help bridge the gap between student life and professional life, and encourage our students to give their best They have to take the next steps in their careers.”

Other awards presented will include 20 faculty awards, selected to celebrate outstanding work in disciplines such as screenwriting, directing, producing, cinematography, editing, sound design and production. 18 industry awards will also be presented recognizing achievements in animation, comedy, drama, documentary, social change and genre.

Julian Levy He was appointed Executive Vice President of Ghost VFX

Ghost VFX today announced the appointment of Julian Levy as Executive Vice President, North America.

Levi will play a pivotal role in Ghost VFX’s strategic direction and growth on a global scale. Based in Los Angeles, he will oversee Ghost VFX’s cutting-edge talent, technology and services, while also working closely with other members of the executive team, including collaboration with Ingenuity Studios.

“Julian’s mastery of every aspect of VFX work is impressive, and he knows what discerning filmmakers need from their VFX teams,” said David Liebensfeld, President of Ghost VFX and Ingenuity Studios. “We are thrilled to welcome him to the team, and look forward to the positive impact his leadership will have.”

“I am excited to join Ghost VFX, playing an integral role in the future of this highly regarded studio,” said Julian Levy, Executive Vice President of Ghost VFX North America. “At Ghost VFX, there is a true dedication to art at the highest level and excellent client relationships. I am here to stand for that and more.”