Congrats to Ryan Coogler and Jonas Carpignano, who were both signed by top talent agency William Morris Endeavor (WME); Dee Rees, Pariah, is also a recently-signed client.
Projects by both filmmakers have been featured on S&A – Coogler will direct Octavia Spencer and Michael B. Jordan (Red Tails, Chronicle), Tristan Wilds and Melonie Diaz in the indie drama titled Fruitvale, based the murder of 22-year old Oscar Grant, produced by Forest Whitaker; Jonas' acclaimed short film, A Chjàna (The Plain) is being developed into a feature film, and was most recently selected for the Sundance June Directors and Screenwriters Labs. The film follows a young Burkinabe man who leaves his native Burkina Faso in search of a better life, making the perilous journey to Italy, only to find he's unprepared for the intolerance facing immigrants in that country.
Both Ryan and Jonas will be making their feature film debuts with these projects and we certainly wish them nothing but the best!
Principal photography is scheduled to begin in July on Fruitvale; while Jonas' film is expected to start shooting later this year; it still has to get through the Sundance Labs.