Congratulations to the company of “The Harder They Come” for their 10 Audelco Award nominations!

Best Musical (The Harder They Come)

Costume Design (Emilio Sosa)

Director of a Musical (Tony Taccone & Sergio Trujillo)

Choreography  (Edgar Godineaux)

Musical Director (John Bronston)

Lead Actor in a Musical (Natey Jones)

Lead Actress in a Musical (Meecah)

Featured Actor in a Musical (J. Bernard Calloway)

Featured Actor in a Musical (Jacob Ming-Trent)

Featured Actress in a Musical (Jeannette Bayardelle)

 

Read the news on Audelco.

We are thrilled to announce that Washington Square Films director Andrew Lane’s “Thierry Visits” spot for Lay’s by Slap Global has been honored with a Bronze Lion for Brand Experience and Activation at the Cannes Lion Festival of Creativity. The spot was a part of PepsiCo’s “No Lays, No Game” campaign, honoring their incredible, nearly decade-long partnership with the UEFA Champions League.

See the full spot HERE.

Washington Square Films has signed director Alex Ogus for commercial representation. His work has earned global award recognition, including Cannes Lions, Clio Awards, One Show Awards and Bessie Awards. His client list included AMEX, McDonald’s, Nestle, Advil, TurboTax, Pfizer and Snickers. Recently, Ogus helmed the music video “Gonna Be You” for 80 for Brady featuring Dolly Parton, Belinda Carlisle, Cyndi Lauper and Gloria Estefan.

Jonathan Schwartz, director of marketing and sales/managing director of NY-based Washington Square Films, said, “Alex understands how to create great comedy using wonderful visuals, great performances and a perfect sense of timing.  His work has a richness that makes you laugh and also makes you want to watch it again.”

Ogus added, “The team at Washington Square Films is made up of truly down-to-earth, real people, but what sets them apart is their vision for the future of the industry and their dedication to the careers of their directors. I’ve always had a lot of my work come out of New York and their strong presence in the city makes this such a great fit.”

Ogus was drawn to filmmaking at an early age, transitioning from amateur comic book writing and illustration to filmmaking class while growing up in Toronto. After going to film school, he funded his initial directorial reel by creating and distributing a salad dressing based on a coveted family recipe. His creativity quickly splashed over from the salad bowl to the screen, striking literal commercial gold with one of his earliest spots for The Fight Network going on to earn top awards, including four Cannes Gold Lions. Following this powerful entry into the commercial directing scene, he started helming spots across the globe, shooting campaigns in Paris, London, Moscow and Zurich, while continuing to grow his body of work in the U.S. Prior to Washington Square Films, Ogus was represented in the U.S. by CoMPANY Films.

Outside of commercials, Ogus directed the 2022 short ICE, which follows a young Latina who comes home only to find that her mother has been taken by immigration. The film recently earned a Remi Award from the Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival.

 

Following its twice-extended run at The Public Theater, The Harder They Come has been honored with the award for “Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical” from the Outer Critics Circle.  The award ceremony will take place at Lincoln Center on May 25.

The Harder They Come was also nominated for two Drama Desk Awards and four Lucille Lortel Awards, making it the most nominated Off-Broadway Musical of the season.

Read the news on PlayBill.

Director Alison Klayman’s feature documentary, Unfinished Business, is now streaming on Amazon Prime following a limited run at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) and a Mother’s Day broadcast on ESPN2.

The film, which serves as a vibrant celebration of the WNBA, is a rich and definitive portrait of the WNBA during a major transitional moment as it evolves from a fledgling venture to a flourishing enterprise. Following the New York Liberty’s dramatic 2021 season and interweaving untold stories from the groundbreaking league’s quarter century, Klayman highlights several generations of exceptional athletes whose dynamic talents have been long undervalued but whose perseverance remains unmatched.

Click HERE to view the trailer and stream Unfinished Business on Amazon Prime.

Unfinished Business made its worldwide premiere at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival, which received widespread acclaim, including a review from TheWrap reporter Elizabeth Weitzman noting, “One test of a strong documentary is whether the subject matter could interest everyone or simply aficionados. It’s tough to imagine anybody watching Unfinished Business without immediately buying tickets to the next available WNBA game.”

We’re delighted to share that the Off-Broadway musical, The Harder They Come, has been nominated for nine awards – four Outer Critics Circle Awards, three Lucille Lortel Awards, and two Drama Desk Awards.

Everyone at Washington Square Films extends heartfelt congratulations to Suzan-Lori Parks for her astounding achievement, selected as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2023. SLP penned the musical adaptation of the 1972 film The Harder They Come that debuted this February, executive produced by our own Joshua Blum and Bruce Miller, and recent additions Carmelo Anthony and Asani Swan. The playwright phenom won a Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her 2001 smash hit Topdog/Underdog, making her the first African-American woman to achieve the honor. She is currently performing in her pandemic-era piece Plays for the Plague Year.

Lana Wilson‘s two-part documentary, Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields, is now streaming on Hulu. The release follows a critically-acclaimed world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival this January, where it received a standing ovation from a spellbound audience. The series follows Brooke Shield’s self-acceptance journey and newfound ability to confront a Hollywood structure that objectifies and sexualizes young girls.

We’re happy to share that director/DP/photographer Erik Curtis has signed with Washington Square Films for his first commercial representation.

We want to extend a huge congratulations to Ben Snyder and Ari Issler for the acceptance of their film Allswell to the Tribeca Film Festival in the U.S. Narrative Competition. Directed by Ben and produced by Ari and Ben, among others, the film spotlights three Nuyorican sisters as they rise to life’s challenges balancing career and family, all while the strength of their sisterhood proves a balm for their chaotic worlds.