ArtClass has added director Rachel Fleit to its talent roster for commercial representation
Fleit’s hit documentary Bama Rush, a Max Original, produced by Vice Studios, told the story of the emotional complexities and stakes in belonging for women attending the University of Alabama in 2022. To date, Bama Rush is Max’s largest documentary debut.
Fleit’s first feature documentary, Introducing, Selma Blair, premiered at the SXSW film festival, where it won the Special Jury Recognition for “Extraordinary Intimacy in Storytelling,” and additionally was nominated for a Critics Choice Award for Best First Documentary Feature as well as Best Documentary Feature. The film is currently streaming on Max. Fleit received the first, now annual, Women’s Fund Grant from Made in NY/Mayor’s Office for Film & Television for her short documentary Ava & Bianca, which told the story of transgender cinematographers and close friends Ava Benjamin Schorr and Bianca Cline.
Additionally, Fleit has directed assorted commercial campaigns for brands like Cadillac, Bumble, UBS, Veuve Clicquot, and luxury womenswear brand Honor. Her directorial work for the latter came during her time there as chief creative officer. Fleit also directed a spot for Kode with Klossy from the Ad Council and a film for StyleLikeU and Eileen Fisher. Prior to joining ArtClass, Fleit had most recently been repped in the commercialmaking space by goodstory films.
Among Fleit’s other notable credits is Gefilte, a short film about a Jewish family that finds beauty in a traditional holiday fish dish. Gefilte has screened at more than 40 Jewish film festivals worldwide since its premiere in 2018. Fleit is also an outspoken advocate for people living with alopecia, appearing in many publications like The New York Times, New York Magazine, Vogue.com, The Wall Street Journal and W Magazine for her activism.
“I was immediately attracted to ArtClass for its endless creativity, belief in new possibilities, and overall go-getter good vibes,” remarked Fleit. “They’re a company with a vision I believe in and whose outlook on the industry closely aligns with mine. I’m thrilled to be a part of the ArtClass family and can’t wait to get started.”
Kirsten Arongino, managing director of ArtClass, added, “Rachel’s compulsive curiosity obviously shows in her work as a documentarian but as a creative, she’s always digging in and unearthing new truths at the center of a story. Her ability to form real connections with her subjects and translate those stories on screen is truly special, and one of many reasons she’s such a standout in the commercial space.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs Is Arrested In NY After Federal Indictment
Sean "Diddy" Combs, the hip-hop mogul who has faced a stream of allegations by women accusing him of sexual assault, was arrested late Monday in New York after he was indicted by a federal grand jury.
The indictment was sealed and details of the charges weren't immediately announced by prosecutors, but the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, Damian Williams, confirmed in a statement that federal agents had Combs in custody.
"We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time," Williams said in a statement.
Combs was arrested in a Manhattan hotel lobby, according to a person familiar with the arrest who spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said Combs had been cooperating with the investigation and had relocated to New York last week in anticipation of charges being brought.
"We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney's Office," Agnifilo said, describing his client as a music icon and a "loving family man."
"He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal," Agnifilo said in a statement, adding "Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court."
The criminal charges are a major but not unexpected takedown of one of the most prominent producers and most famous names in the history of hip-hop.
The federal investigation of Combs, 58, was revealed when Homeland Security Investigations agents served simultaneous search warrants and raided Combs' mansions in Los Angeles and Miami... Read More