Sundance Veteran John Cooper Joins Northern California's True West Film Center as Artistic Director
John Cooper, former director of the Sundance Film Festival, has been named the True West Film Center's new Artistic Director.
As artistic director, Cooper will focus on crafting and implementing the artistic vision guiding all programs, including education, film screenings and the yearly True West Film Festival. Cooper's position comes as the True West Film Center prepares to move to the James Redford Campus with a three-screen cinema and educational spaces opening this summer in Healdsburg, Calif., the historic wine country town north of San Francisco.
More from Variety
'The Stringer' Review: Who Took the Historic Vietnam War Photo Known as 'Napalm Girl'? A Riveting Documentary Says the Answer Lies in a Conspiracy
'By Design' Review: Juliette Lewis Becomes a Chair in a Bold if Baggy Body-Swap Sundance Movie
Sundance Prizewinning Director Lemohang Mosese's New Film 'Ancestral Visions of the Future' Joins Memento Intl.'s Slate Prior to Berlinale Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)
'I am delighted to welcome John to True West as our new Artistic Director,' executive director Kathryn Philip said. 'Over a decades-long career, Cooper has demonstrated visionary artistic leadership, exceptional curatorial know-how, and a passion for supporting independent filmmakers. As we look toward opening our cinemas and expanding our programs to serve more Sonoma County residents than ever before, I am thrilled that we will do so with the benefit of Cooper's deep experience and well-honed creative instincts.'
Cooper was at the frontline of American independent film at the Sundance Institute for more than 30 years, eventually working as director of the festival from 2010 to 2020. During his time there, he launched the Art House Convergence and led the festival's expansion of satellite events in New York, Los Angeles, London and Hong Kong. Before his time at Sundance, he led Outfest, Los Angeles' annual festival celebrating LGBTQ+ films, from 1995 to 1998.
'I am honored to join the True West team at this pivotal moment,' Cooper said in a statement. 'As a longtime champion of art house cinemas, I know that film has the power to bring people together. I am inspired and invigorated by this opportunity to build a vibrant film culture in the North Bay.'
Best of Variety
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win?
What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Marvel's ‘Vision' Lands ‘Schitt's Creek' Star Emily Hampshire as E.D.I.T.H.
Vision may have met his match. Marvel Studios' spin-off series about Vision has landed 'Schitt's Creek' star Emily Hampshire as E.D.I.T.H., the Stark Industries artificial intelligence introduced in 2019's 'Spider-Man: Far From Home.' She joins Paul Bettany, who is reprising his role as the now-reincarnated synthezoid character (who is the physical manifestation of another Stark Industries AI, Jarvis). More from Variety 'The Fantastic Four' Director Matt Shakman Reveals the 'Magical' Comics That Inspired the Film in 'Small and Large Ways' (EXCLUSIVE) Marvel Studios Skipping Comic-Con Hall H Panel for 2025 As Comic Book Movies Scale Back Releases, Marvel and DC Look to This Summer to Decide the Future of Superhero Cinema In 'Far From Home,' E.D.I.T.H. is introduced as a gift that Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) bequeaths to Peter Parker (Tom Holland) after Stark sacrifices his life in 'Avengers: Endgame.' (The name stands for 'Even Dead, I'm The Hero.') Peter controls E.D.I.T.H. through a pair of high-tech sunglasses, which he unwittingly gives to the film's villain, Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal), before retrieving them at the end of the movie. The glasses are confiscated after Peter's identity as Spider-Man is revealed to world, and E.D.I.T.H.'s ultimate fate is left unresolved. It's unclear whether Hampshire is just lending her voice to the role or will be embodying it as well, but the character will be one of several AI to populate the series. James Spader is reprising his role as Ultron, the villain from 2015's 'Avengers: Age of Ultron,' and T'Nia Miller ('The Diplomat') is playing Jocasta, another robotic character from the Marvel Comics. Other co-stars include Todd Stashwick ('Star Trek: Picard') and Ruaridh Mollica ('Ridley'). More to come. Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘The Fantastic Four' Director Matt Shakman Reveals the ‘Magical' Comics That Inspired the Film in ‘Small and Large Ways' (EXCLUSIVE)
Before Iron Man, before the Hulk, before Spider-Man, there was the Fantastic Four. The quartet of astronauts transformed into superheroes were Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's first creation for Marvel Comics, launching the sprawling storytelling universe of interconnected characters that has endured for 64 years. Until Disney acquired 20th Century Fox in 2019, however, Reed Richards (a.k.a. Mr. Fantastic), Sue Storm (a.k.a. the Invisible Woman), Johnny Storm (a.k.a. the Human Torch) and Ben Grimm (a.k.a. the Thing), as were unable to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That will finally change in July with the premiere of Marvel Studios' 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' starring Pedro Pascal as Reed, Vanessa Kirby as Sue, Joseph Quinn as Johnny and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben. To marshal Marvel's First Family into the MCU, studio chief Kevin Feige tapped veteran director Matt Shakman, who helmed every episode of Marvel's first streaming series, 'WandaVision,' as well as episodes of 'Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,' 'Succession,' 'Game of Thrones,' 'The Great,' 'The Boys,' 'Fargo,' 'The Good Wife' and 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.' More from Variety Marvel Studios Skipping Comic-Con Hall H Panel for 2025 As Comic Book Movies Scale Back Releases, Marvel and DC Look to This Summer to Decide the Future of Superhero Cinema David Tennant Says He Had His 'Eye On' the Role of Reed Richards in 'The Fantastic Four' Before Pedro Pascal Was Cast: 'They've Gone in a Different Direction' Beyond his extensive resume, Shakman's biggest qualification for the job is his love for the Fantastic Four comics, as demonstrated in the foreward the filmmaker penned for the new Marvel Premiere Collection release, 'Fantastic Four: Solve Everything' — which Variety is exclusively previewing below. The volume, which goes on sale June 3, is a streamlined collection of Fantastic Four comics published between 2009 and 2011 (i.e. issues #570–588) written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Dale Eaglesham, Neil Edwards and Steve Epting, and cover art by Joe Quesada. In his foreward, Shakman singles out Hickman's work — and this particular run of issues — as a major influence on the new 'Fantastic Four' movie. Among several curious allusions to FF storylines and characters, the director specifically cites three of Hickman's inventions — Reed's philanthropic Future Foundation, the multiverse portal the Bridge, and the interdimensional Council of Reeds. How these may (or may not) be incorporated into the movie remains to be seen, but Shakman's love for the comics, and for these characters, is abundantly clear. Fantastic Four: Solve EverythingForeward By Matt Shakman I fell in love with the Fantastic Four when I was a kid growing up in Ventura, California. Encountering a family of super heroes that felt so familiar blew my mind: the humor, the heart, the sniping and griping, the messiness. At the same time, I was taken by the optimism and wonder of their world. With their roots in the '60s space race, the F4 have always been about exploration — whether it is to the cosmos or the Negative Zone or deep into the human mind. Reed, Sue, Ben and Johnny may have incredible powers, but they are family first, scientists and explorers second and super heroes only when absolutely necessary. Every Marvel filmmaker attempts to build on what has come before in publishing while simultaneously reinventing the characters for the current moment. The same is true with comic creators. What Lee and Kirby launched in the '60s changed Marvel forever. Their bold gamble to center a realistic family turned into the biggest hit of the early Silver Age. Every artist and writer since has attempted to build on that legacy while finding something in the characters that made them sparkle anew. In preparation for Marvel Studios' 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' I delved into the 60-plus years of comics history. Marvel's First Family has been continuously cared for by the best and brightest the company had to offer. None shone so bright as Jonathan Hickman. The humor and heart I loved as a kid? It's there and better than ever. The messy family dynamics? Made even more interesting as Val and Franklin take center stage. And that sense of optimism and wonder? I don't think the Fantastic Four have been quite as fantastic as they are in the pages of this book. As we developed the script for the film, I returned again and again to this epic run — thrilled by brain-bending innovations like the Council of Reeds and riveted by heroic standoffs against the likes of Annihilus. But it was Hickman's deep insight into the specific family dynamics of the Four that affected me the most. His Reed Richards is part Steve Jobs and part Oppenheimer, always on the edge of saving the world or destroying it. The author runs right at Mister Fantastic's weakness: believing that he can and should do it all on his own. Reed is determined to 'Solve Everything' — but he learns that the cost of solving everything is… everything. Ultimate knowledge risks ultimate sacrifice: the loss of his family. Sue has come a long way from the 'Invisible Girl' of the early '60s. In these pages, she is part United Nations Secretary General and part Field Marshal, backing up diplomacy with force when necessary. Hickman's Sue may be the most powerful member of the Four — she's the glue that holds the world together while Reed experiments in the lab with things that could destroy it. She brokers deals as the world's finest diplomat, ending up as the Queen of the Sea. In one of my favorite F4 moments, she declares to Namor, 'I am a Queen that bows before no King.' Damn right. How do these two very different people make up the greatest marriage in comics history? We see, page after page, that the secret is their unique balance of heart and mind. Before Jerry Maguire, these two completed each other. Sue and Reed are relatable not just as partners, but also as parents. We understand their anxiety, fretting over the destiny of Val and Franklin just as I fret over my 9-year-old daughter's future. I cherish the family intimacy of scenes in the Baxter Building and never doubt that these parents love their children and would do anything to protect their future. I know that Johnny and Ben would do the same. And we know that, as super heroes, they will fight just as hard to protect our world. Having absorbed six decades of F4 publishing, many of Hickman's magical moments and unique character dynamics stick with me. And they made it into our film in small and large ways. From Sue as a diplomat to Reed trying to solve everything even at the risk of imperiling his family. Johnny's need to be taken seriously. Ben's gentle nature, forever at odds with his appearance. The Future Foundation. The Bridge. The mystery of children and the anxiety we have as parents about their future. Hickman is a poet, of both the everyday and the extraordinary. His work beats with a heart as big as Sue Storm's, rendering an emotional journey that culminates in a scene that makes me tear up every time I read it. (I won't ruin it… just wait for 'Uncles.') His writing is thrilling, thought-provoking and tender…and, like the characters he writes about, fantastic. Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Newsweek
12 hours ago
- Newsweek
The 5 Biggest Bombshells from Alex Cooper's 'Call Her Alex' Hulu Docuseries
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Alex Cooper has become one of the most popular podcasters in the world with the "Call Her Daddy" podcast. More Entertainment: Love Island UK Season 12 – Release Date, Schedule, How To Watch Originally known for its risqué and sexual topics of conversation, "Call Her Daddy" has now become one of the top comedy and interview shows around with guests like Miley Cyrus, Jane Fonda, and former vice president Kamala Harris. Now, Hulu has released a docuseries about Cooper as well as the process of getting "The Unwell Tour" off the ground. Here are the biggest bombshells to come out of "Call Her Alex." Content Warning: This article contains details about sexual harassment. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Alex Cooper attends SiriusXM & Unwell Present "Date Night With Daddy" hosted by Alex Cooper at Avalon Hollywood on February 13, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Alex Cooper attends SiriusXM & Unwell Present "Date Night With Daddy" hosted by Alex Cooper at Avalon Hollywood on February 13, 2025 in Los Angeles, SiriusXM 1. Alex Cooper Was Viciously Bullied as a Child In Part One, Cooper shares an old photo of her from when she was a child, making note of her braces, freckles, natural red hair, and skinny legs. Cooper would go on to explain how boys would viciously bully her, comparing her to a skeleton and make all the usual comments that go with being a ginger (no soul, etc.). This led to significant self-hatred for Cooper, especially when she was at sleepovers with her friends who didn't have these problems. 2. "The Unwell Tour" Almost Didn't Happen In Part One, production manager Jon Dindas appeared as if he was going to walk out on the "Unwell Tour" the day before the first performance in Boston. While there were no exact details revealed regarding what happened, it was stated that he was "burnt out." When Cooper stated that no one knew how to do anything but him, Dindas laughed and said, "That's part of the problem." More Entertainment: Everything We Know About Netflix's Season 4 of 'Ginny & Georgia' After noting that the show cannot go on without Dindas, Cooper addressed the entire crew to make sure that all of them feel appreciated. In the end, Dindas stayed with the tour and opening night went off without a hitch. 3. Alex Cooper Accuses College Soccer Coach of Sexual Harassment The most shocking reveal came at the end of Part One, where Cooper accused her former Boston University soccer coach, Nancy Feldman, of sexually harassing her. 'Call Her Daddy' podcast host Alex Cooper has accused her former Boston University soccer coach, Nancy Feldman, of uncomfortable encounters that Cooper characterizes as sexual harassment. Cooper made the allegation in her new Hulu documentary "Call Her Alex." — Good Morning America (@GMA) June 10, 2025 "My sophomore year everything really shifted. I started to notice her really starting to fixate on me way more than any other teammate of mine. And it was confusing because the focus wasn't on 'You're doing so well, let's get you on the field, you're going to be a starter.' "It was all based in her wanting to know who I was dating, her making comments about my body, and her always wanting to be alone with me." Cooper then revealed that she would have private meetings with Feldman where she would stare at her, sit next to her on the couch, and put her hand on Cooper's thigh. Cooper then revealed that her coach's questions eventually became about her sex life, and if she didn't speak about them, "there would be consequences." "It was this psychotic game of 'You want to play, tell me about your sex life,'" Cooper said. "'I have to drive you to your night class. Get in the car with me, alone.'" Cooper later shared more details about her experience on the "Call Her Daddy" YouTube account, as well as how much revisiting her college campus had an effect on her. 4. Alex Cooper Still Feels Small Returning to Her College The alleged harassment from Cooper's coach had a drastic effect on her, something that the podcasting giant still feels to this day. Toward the end of Part One, Cooper revisited the Boston University campus. However, she didn't expect the anger that welled inside her. More Entertainment: 'Wicked: For Good' is Coming in November: Watch the Official Trailer "The minute I stepped back on that field, I felt so small," Cooper later said during a Q&A, per Marie Claire. "I just felt like I was 18 years old again and I was in a situation with someone in a position of power who abused that power. "I felt like I wasn't the 'Call Her Daddy' girl. I wasn't someone who had money and influence or whatever. I was just another woman who experienced harassment on a level that changed my life forever and took away the thing I loved the most." 5. Cooper's Parents Supported Her, Although Her Family and Community Did Not While Cooper didn't really speak to her breakup with "Call Her Daddy" co-creator and former co-host Sofia Franklyn, she and her family went into detail about how the sexually explicit nature of the show – like the infamous "Gluck Gluck 9000," – had an effect on her extended family and community. "You know, if I can be a little bold about my daughter, our town, it was turning things upside down," Cooper's mother said. "People were talking about it, like, 'How could she do this? She's a good kid. She was raised well.'" "Even at some of these tour shows, they look at me and they're like, 'Are you ok with this?'" Cooper's father shared. "They give me that look and I'm like, 'Yeah.'" "We're talking sex, we're talking relationships. Everyone's having fun. And by the way, if you listen to the screaming... I think it's pretty successful." More Entertainment: 'Outer Banks' Star Cast as Snoop Dogg in Official Biopic 'A Minecraft Movie' Hits HBO Max for Free Streaming in June: What to Know For more streaming and entertainment news, head on over to Newsweek Entertainment.
