October, 2022 - Creative Community for Peace

Eugene Levy, Darren Star, Billie Eilish Managers Honored at Creative Community for Peace’s Annual Gala as Hate Speech Battle Intensifies

Read the original article here.

By: Roy Trakin

Recent tirades by Kanye West, now known as Ye, were undoubtedly on the minds of many of the record-shattering 500 guests who gathered at the spacious Beverly Hills home of Columbia Records A&R executive Ben Maddahi’s parents to mark the tenth anniversary of the Creative Community for Peace. The organization, co-founded by Electronic Arts President of Music Steve Schnur and veteran publishing executive David Renzer, honored an eclectic group as Ambassadors of Peace for 2022: comic legend Eugene Levy, “Sex and the City” creator Darren Star, Grammy-winning performer/songwriter Autumn Rowe, Billie Eilish managers Brandon Goodman and Danny Rukasin of Best Friends Music and UTA global co-head of music David Zedeck.

The fourth live event organized by the nonprofit — meant to encourage artists to collaborate and bring their talents to Israel as well as combat antisemitism — brought out a who’s who of entertainment executives and creatives, including past honorees Diane Warren, Warner Records CEO/co-chairman Aaron Bay-Schuck, Virgin Music label and artist services president Jacqueline Saturn and Atlantic Records Group’s EVP of global A&R Aton Ben-Horin.

Warren, an outspoken supporter of Israel who was honored at last year’s ceremony, had some choice expletives to describe her reaction to West’s hateful words. “Antisemitism is always just below the surface and now it’s reared its ugly head again,” she said. “Nobody should have anything to do with him. It’s like someone said, he just remixed an old record that’s been around 3,000 years like it’s a new thought. The Holocaust started with words like that.”

Co-founder Schnur, who recently penned his own Variety editorial calling the entertainment industry to task for their initial silence on the Ye incident, evoked the Jewish Hanukkah warrior Judah Maccabee to express his continued outrage. “Enough with this rhetoric that spreads like wildfire,” said the veteran music executive. “He’s one of many continuing to spew using platforms. My response is, hell no. I don’t want to hear it anymore. We need to stand up for not just the Jewish community, but the Black community, Muslims, Asians and the LGBTQ as well. The idea is that art is something that can bring people together. The only thing a Palestinian and Israeli kid might have in common is Rihanna’s music.”

Added Renzer, who noted that the following day (October 27) would be the fourth anniversary of the 11 Jews murdered at the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh: “Our message is one of unity, co-existence, anti-hate. Maybe it took something as dramatic and unfortunate as [Ye’s remarks] for it to happen,” adding this was a “record-setting year for the organization in terms of attendance, sponsorship and donations.”

Comic legend Eugene Levy attributed his honor to the award-winning sitcom “Schitt’s Creek,” which he co-created with son Dan as a way to present an ideal community “blind to religion, sex or nationality, a world without bigotry,” joking about the misspelling of his name (Eugege) on the video display in back of him. He then told of running for class president in his senior year of high school and having his Superman-inspired campaign posters (“It’s a bird, it’s a plane… it’s Levy’) defaced with “Jew,” and winning the election by refusing to back down, or remove the posters.

UTA’s Zedeck defended fellow talent agency CAA’s decision to drop Ye as a client. “We have to be responsible for whom we represent,” he said. “Freedom of speech may be a legal issue, but not being associated with Ye is a business decision. It’s important to keep music and art separate from politics. This organization has a larger role than just combatting the BDS movement (boycott, divestment sanctions against Israel).”

Interscope vice chairman Steve Berman introduced Best Friends Music’s Brandon Goodman and Danny Rukasin, serenading the latter with “Happy Birthday.” Speaking to Variety, Goodman said, “My belief is that art should unite, not divide. Our job is to let our artists speak for themselves through their own experiences.” Darren Star, called to the stage by “Uncoupled” star Joshua Platt, recalled teaching a film and TV writing class at the University of Tel Aviv, “where even the bouncers wish you a ‘Shabbat shalom.’”

“Only by understanding each other can we make the world a better place,” Star said on the red carpet before the presentation. “Storytelling can transcend politics, creating characters where you can understand their humanity is so important. Art can make all of us understand our common humanity better… It helps build bridges.”

Autumn Rowe, who earned a Grammy for co-writing four songs on Jon Batiste’s album of the year-winning “We Are” — including “Freedom,” which she later performed to wrap the evening — is perhaps the perfect representative for both the CCFP and its sister organization, the Black Jewish Entertainment Alliance. The South-Bronx born singer-songwriter is the daughter of a Black father and Jewish mother, and an activist who has been involved in anti-racism, women’s and creative rights organizations such as Grammys on the Hill, the Women’s March on DC and SONA (Songwriters of North America).

“There are a lot of similarities between Blacks and Jews,” she said, comparing slavery with the Holocaust. “We both have bonds of oppression.” Her involvement with the CCFP and the BJEA came about during a time of introspection while in COVID lockdown. “It was a big moment for me to pause and reflect on who I wanted to be,” she explained. “Which was someone who spoke up for people whose voices weren’t being heard. These organizations helped me do that.”

Asked about West’s comment, her response was swift: she removed all his music from her Serato DJ software. “I felt really hurt by those comments,” said Rowe. “He has inspired me as a producer, songwriter and artist. I’ve been a fan for a long time, but I don’t feel like playing music from someone who wants to go ‘def con 3’ on the Jews. I’m over him.”

CCFP Director Ari Ingel offered his own closing argument against the notion of an “irreconcilable” co-existence of Israel and Palestine which has been in place since the country’s very inception in 1948, suggesting a three-prong answer for those present: taking a trip to Israel, encouraging artists to perform there and supporting the organization in its future goals.

“The objective is peace,” added Schnur. “Not to divide.”

CCFPeace In Quotes

Ryan Tedder, One Republic

CCFPeace In Article

Dear Music Industry: When it Comes to Antisemitic Rhetoric, Your Silence Is Deafening

Read the original article here on Variety.com.

By Steve Schnur

On Saturday October 8, the artist Ye, formerly Kanye West, declared to his 18 million Instagram followers that he was “going death con 3 on Jewish people,” adding that Jews “have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.”

In the days that followed, I wrote a piece for the 10/14 edition of “The Jerusalem Post” expressing my own experiences with growing antisemitism in the U.S. and abroad. “This isn’t a matter of my Jewish faith,” I wrote. “It’s a fundamental breakdown of our shared humanity.” And though my statement was supported by many friends and colleagues throughout the industry, I also encountered several disconcerting instances of trepidation. The outright silence of others spoke volumes.

Ken Burns’ recent documentary “The U.S. and the Holocaust” bluntly illustrates how the U.S. was initially unwilling to intervene in the Holocaust, even as evidence of its horrors publicly unfolded. Most of all, it reminds us that complacency is akin to complicity.

We’re now seeing our nation get more virulent and divisive by the day. We hear hate speech shared by public figures on global platforms. History can — and often does — repeat. But next time, will we allow inaction to prevail? As a descendant of refugees, many of whom died in the Holocaust, I will not tolerate antisemitism, racism, ignorance or hate from individuals or institutions, celebrities or politicians, friends, colleagues, or strangers. Neither should you.

On Saturday October 15, Ye appeared on Revolt TV’s “Drink Champs” to defiantly double-down. Not only did he endorse falsehoods about Jewish control of the media, but he went on to dismiss the indisputable — and adjudicated — facts of George Floyd’s murder.

I don’t buy the argument that Ye’s mental illness allows for public displays of malignant stupidity, and I don’t believe the platforms he’s been given should be exempt from responsibility either. My anger has only intensified in the days since, as have my questions: why have Ye’s music business partners — record labels, publishers, touring agencies, merch companies, etc. — remained silent? Is his brand so valuable that it overshadows his messaging? Is his fame so important that it’s worth the eventual price we may all pay? I will not stay silent, allow Ye’s message to dissipate over time, or wait until he says something even more destructive in the future. Neither should you.

And yet the problem is not simply Ye. He may be the most current public figure spewing antisemitism and racism, but is certainly not alone; from Sunday morning preachers and white nationalists to college campuses, city councils, and even members of Congress, ignorance and hate are gaining traction daily. If recent statements by Tommy Tuberville, Nury Martinez or Donald Trump haven’t shocked you, then what will it take? If you’re not getting angry or frightened, you’re not paying attention.

The creative community has a greater responsibility than most. Our voice — particularly among young people — is pervasive. Our influence is global. Which is why our time to act is now. We must speak up, no matter what the cost. And we must encourage our friends, families, colleagues and leaders to do the same.

Let me be perfectly clear, this is not about ‘cancel culture,’ ‘wokeness’ or any other buzzword used to denigrate empathy and undermine compassion. This is about stopping racism, bigotry, misogyny, homophobia and antisemitism in its tracks before it repeats itself to a degree we pray it never reaches again. We cannot idly stand by in fear, silence, or indifference. We must not allow the horrors of the past to infect our future.

The choices we collectively make over the next few months will matter for years to come. Through it all, I will march with you; I will scream with you; I will stand with you. And for the sake of our industry, our integrity, and our very survival as intelligent and rational beings, I am humbly asking you to do the same.

Steve Schnur is Worldwide Executive/President of Music at Electronic Arts and co-founder of Creative Community for Peace and Black Jewish Entertainment Alliance.

Cover Photo: Kanye West attends the in-store signing of his new release ‘Graduation’ held at the Virgin Megastore Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood, California, United States on September 13, 2007.

CCFPeace In Press Release

Sia, Debra Messing and Others Join 300+ Entertainment Industry Leaders in Rejection of the Cultural Boycott of Israel and their Support for Israel’s Largest LGBTQ+ Film Festival and its Participating Filmmakers

Mila Kunis, Neil Patrick Harris, Mayim Bialik, Billy Porter, Dame Helen Mirren, Debra Messing, Sia, Phil Rosenthal, Zachary Quinto, Sherry Lansing, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Dana Goldberg, Iliza Shlesinger, Gene Simmons, Greg Berlanti, Michael Ian Black, Tracy Ann Oberman, and Diane Warren among 300+ celebrities and entertainment industry professionals sign open letter against boycott of Israel’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival.

LOS ANGELES (Oct 19 2022) — More than 300 leaders from the entertainment industry have signed an open letter released by the non-profit entertainment industry organization Creative Community For Peace in support of the Tel Aviv International LGBTQ+ Film Festival (TLVFest) and the participating filmmakers.

The entertainment leaders stand united in rejecting the cultural boycott of Israel as yet another roadblock to peace and its subversion of art for nefarious political purposes. As the LGBTQ+ Community around the world continues to face immense discrimination, it is particularly shameful to boycott an event that gives a voice to their stories and struggles.

The open letter comes in response to repeated attempts by anti-Israel activists to boycott a film festival that celebrates international voices from the LGBTQ+ community, including the Middle East. TLVFest represents the epitome of coexistence, and regularly features Palestinian films.

“In Israel, movies have the unique power to bring together Jews, Arabs, and people of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in collaboration under a shared love of the arts, working together towards the common goal of telling their stories, and building bridges of compassion and understanding,” the letter reads.

Signatories to the open letter include: Neil Patrick Harris (Actor); Dame Helen Mirren (Actress); Mila Kunis (Actress); Zach Quinto (Actor); Mayim Bialik (Actress); Sia (Artist and Songwriter); Debra Messing (Actress); Emmanuelle Chriqui (Actress); Aaron Bay-Schuck (CEO/Co-Chairman Warner Record); Jeremy Piven (Actor, Comedian); Marty Adelstein (CEO Tomorrow Studios); Jonathan Tucker (Actor); Billy Porter (Actor); Gene Simmons (Artist, KISS); Greg Berlanti (Producer, Director); Haim Saban (Chairman & CEO, Saban Capital Group); Iliza Shlesinger (Comedian); Robbie Rogers (Athlete); Dana Goldberg (Chief Creative Officer of Skydance); Simon Callow (Actor); Tracy Ann Oberman (Actress); Lance Bass (Artist); David Burtka (Actor); John Benjamin Hickey (Actor); Rick Rosen (Co-Founder of Endeavor); Ben Silverman (Chairman & Co-CEO, Propagate Content); Melissa Rivers (Actress, TV Host); Paul Feig (Actor/Director); Michael Rotenberg (Partner, 3 Arts Entertainment); Eric Balfour (Actor); Rachel Riley (TV Host); Richard Benjamin (Actor/Director); Diane Warren (Songwriter); and Sherry Lansing (Former CEO of Paramount Pictures) amongst many others.

See full list of signees below, and to add your name click here.

The letter’s signatories believe strongly in the power of film to bring people together, transcend boundaries, broaden awareness, and affect positive societal change. They also call on their friends and colleagues to join in expressing support for a successful TLVFest 2022.

“We stand united with all the participating filmmakers against the divisive rhetoric espoused by boycott activists who seek to misinform, bully and intimidate artists into removing their films from the festival or shame them for participating in the festival,” the letter continues.

“Anti-Israel boycott activists continually use incendiary language and misrepresent the facts to try and bully filmmakers into backing out. Their reckless use of misinformation only furthers hostility and decreases the chance for peace, which all of us so urgently desire,” stated Ari Ingel, Director of Creative Community for Peace.

Ingel added that “instead of amplifying the voices of coexistence and peace trying to effect real change on the ground, those who support the calls for a boycott are only creating more division and fear.”

Creative Community for Peace aims to promote the arts and culture as a means to peace and to counter and educate the entertainment industry about rising antisemitism. To learn more about their work, visit www.creativecommunityforpeace.com.

OPEN LETTER

We, the undersigned, believe that artistic freedom and creative expression are critical to a healthy, diverse, and inclusive society.

Films have the power to bring people together, transcend boundaries, broaden awareness, and affect positive societal change.

In Israel, movies have the unique power to bring together Jews, Arabs, and people of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in collaboration under a shared love of the arts, working together towards the common goal of telling their stories, and building bridges of compassion and understanding.

The annual Tel Aviv International LGBTQ Film Festival (TLVFest) embodies this spirit of unity and truth, featuring films from filmmakers of all backgrounds, including Palestinians.

For this reason, we reject any attempt to boycott TLVFest – Israel’s largest LGBTQ Film Festival — which works to showcase the stories of LGBTQ people globally and create a brighter future for LGBTQ people both inside Israel and around the world.

We stand united with all the participating filmmakers against the divisive rhetoric espoused by boycott activists who seek to misinform, bully and intimidate artists into removing their films from the festival or shame them for participating in the festival.

We believe that anyone who works to subvert TLVFest merely adds yet another roadblock to freedom, justice, equality, and peace that we all desperately desire, especially for the LGBTQ community that is persecuted throughout the Middle East and around the world.

Artists should never be silenced, and art should not be subverted for political goals.

We call on our friends and colleagues worldwide to join us in expressing their support for a successful and exciting TLVFest 2022.

SIGNATORIES

Aaron Bay-Schuck: CEO/Co-Chairman Warner Records

Jason Adelman: Vice President, Brand Innovators

Orly Adelson: Producer, Orly Adelson Productions

Marty Adelstein: CEO, Tomorrow Studios

Michael Adler: Partner of Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Adler, Feldman & Clark Inc.

Javier Adrados: Music Journalist

Dan Aloni: Partner, Motion Pictures, William Morris Endeavor

Buck Angel: Trans Activist and Filmmaker, Actor

Nate Auerbach: Partner, Versus Creative

Michael Auerbach: Partner at Jackoway Tyerman Wertheimer Austen Mandelbaum Morris & Klein

Eric Balfour: Actor

Craig Balsam: Co-Founder, Razor & Tie Entertainment

Eve Barlow: Music/Culture Journalist

Jonathan Baruch: Partner, Rain Management Group

Richard Baskind: Partner & Head of Music, Simons Muirhead & Burton

Lance Bass: Artist, Entrepreneur

Miles Beard: Executive VP of A&R, Republic Records

Jonathan Beckerman: Agent, United Talent Agency

Pablo Bendersky: Producer/Artist

Aton Ben-Horin: Executive VP of Global A&R, Atlantic Records Group

Richard Benjamin: Actor/Director

Steven Bensusan: President, Blue Note Entertainment Group

Shelly Berger: Music Manager

Adam Berkowitz: Founder and President, Lenore Entertainment Group

Greg Berlanti: Producer, Director

Sara Berman: Artist

Luc Bernard: Director, Voices of the Forgotten

Mayim Bialik: Actress

Sharon Bialy: Casting Director

Josh Binder: Partner, Rotherberg, Mohr, and Binder LLP

Michael Ian Black: Actor

Neil Blair: Partner, The Blair Partnership

Evan Bogart: Songwriter & CEO, Seeker Music

Howard Bragman: Publicist

Josh Brill: Writer, Producer

Jurgen Bruning: Producer

A.J. Buckley: Actor

David Burtka: Actor/Chef

David Byrnes: Partner, Ziffren, Brittenham, LLP

Sir Colin Callender CBE: Producer and CEO, Playground Entertainment

Simon Callow: Actor, Director

Nick Carter: Artist

Markell Casey: Senior Director A&R, Sony Music Australia

Brian Celler: Bravo Charlie Management

Pamela Charbit: A&R Manager, Atlantic Records

Emmanuelle Chriqui: Actress, Activist

Erran Baron Cohen: Composer

Paul Colichman: Chief Executive Officer at Here Media, Inc.

Victoria S. Cook: Partner, Frankfurt Kurmit Klein & Selz

Leanne Coronel: President, The Coronel Group

Raye Cosbert: Managing Director, Metropolis Music

Ben Cosgrove: CEO, Leviathan Productions

Ian Daly: Head of Brand Strategy, Live Nation

Greg Daniels: Writer and Producer

Yuval David: Actor, Host, Filmmaker, and Advocate

Josh Deutsch: Chairman/CEO, Premier Music Group

Jenna Dewan: Actress

Avi Diamond: Director, Film & Licensing Warner Chappell Music

Kosha Dillz: Artist

Craig Dorfman: President and Owner, Frontline MGMT

David Draiman: Artist, Frontman of Disturbed

Doug Ellin: Screenwriter, Director

Stephan Elliott: Director

Craig Emanuel: Partner, Paul Hastings LLC

Ron Fair: Record Producer & CEO, Faircraft Inc.

Sharon Farber: Composer

Daniel Federman: Owner, Maccabi Tel Aviv

Eric Feig: Founder, Eric Feig Entertainment & Media Law Inc.

Paul Feig: Actor, Director, Producer

Ryan Feldman: Agent, William Morris Endeavor

Patti Felker: Partner, Felker Toczek Gelman Suddleson

Jacob Fenton: Partner, United Talent Agency

Ken Fermaglich: Partner, United Talent Agency

Rodney Ferrell: EVP, Head of Scripted, Propagate

Greg Fleishman: Co-Founder & CEO, Foodstirs

Josh Fluxgold: President, One Way MGMT

Erica Forster: VP of Music Partnerships, DanceOn

Gary Foster: Principal at Krasnoff Foster Productions

Eytan Fox: Director

Jordan Frazes: Founder, Frazes Creative

Ben Freeman: Educator and Writer

Sonia Friedman OBE: Theatre Producer

Stephen Fry: Actor

Siri Garber: President, Platform Public Relations

David Gardner: President, Artists First

Nancy Gates: Partner, United Talent Agency

Andrew Genger: Manager, Red Light Management

Gary Gersh: President of Global Talent, AEG

Gary Ginsberg: Former Senior VP, SoftBank Group Corp.

Daniel Glass: President and Founder, Glassnote Records

Karen Glauber: President, HITS Magazine

David Glick: Founder & CEO, Edge Group

Elon Gold: Comedian

Dana Goldberg: Chief Creative Officer, Skydance

Iddo Goldberg: Actor

Michael Goldwasser: Producer & President/Co-Founder, Easy Star Records

Michael Gordon: Partner, CAA

Andrew Gould: EVP Music Publishing, Roc Nation

Trudy Green: Trudy Green Management/HK

Steve Greenberg: President, S-Curve Records

Scott Greenberg: Manager and Partner at LBI Entertainment

Joao Rui Guerra da Mata: Director, Production Designer

Paul Haas: Agent, Partner William Morris Endeavor

Sarah Halioua: Producer and Partner, Abracadabra Audiovisual

Neil Patrick Harris: Actor

Ronnie Harris: Partner, Harris & Trotter LLP

John Benjamin Hickey: Actor

Antony Hickling: Director

Tom Holland: Author/Historian

Erik Hyman: Partner, Paul Hastings

Richard “BournRich” Ingram: Artist, Creative Director

Neil Jacobson: Founder, Hallwood Media

Jonathan Jakubowicz: Writer and Director

Aharon Keshales: Filmmaker

Zach Katz: President and COO, FaZe Clan

Lee Kern: Screenwriter

Scott Kluge: President, Tremendous Entertainment

Amanda Kogan: Agent, The Gersh Agency

Rick Krim: Co-Founder, Worldwired Music

Mila Kunis: Actress

Gabz Landman

Sherry Lansing: Former CEO of Paramount Pictures

Joanie Leeds: Singer/Songwriter

Sam Leifer: Writer/Director

Teddy Leifer: Producer

Martin Lesak: Partner, United Talent Agency

Colin Lester OBE: Founder/Chairman, JEM Music Group

David Levy: Partner, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment

David Levy: Former President of Turner/WarnerMedia, Founder of Back Nine Ventures

Jonathan Lipnicki: Actor

David Lonner: CEO, The David Lonner Co.

Ben Maddahi: SVP A&R, Columbia Records

Imran Majid: Co-CEO, Island Records

Gabriel Mann: Composer/Producer

Susan Markheim: Manager, Full Stop Mgt., The Azoff Company

Orly Marley: President, Tuff Gong Worldwide

Rachel Mason: Director

Nancy Matalon: VP of A&R, Spirit Music Group

Biran Maya: Actor, Producer

David Mazouz: Actor

AJ McLean: Artist

Doron Medalie: Composer

Debra Messing: Actress

Helen Mirren DRE: Actress

Matthew Mishory: Actor

Max Mutchnick: Executive Producer

Guy Nattiv: Director

Leetal Nissenbaum: VP of Synchronization and Licensing, Ultra Records

Lisa Nupoff: Manager, IMINMUSIC Management

Tracy Ann Oberman: Actress

Sharon Osbourne: Television Personality, Manager

Navot Papushado: Director

Mandi Perkins: Artist, Songwriter

Trevor Phillips OBE: Journalist and Commentator

Henry Platt: Musician

Jonah Platt: Actor/Writer

Jeremy Piven: Actor, Comedian

Billy Porter: Actor

Mike Praw: Entertainment Industry Executive

Paula Prentiss: Actress

Zachary Quinto: Actor

Itay Reiss: Talent Manager

David Renzer: Former Chairman/CEO of Universal Music Publishing

Zak Resnick: Actor

Rachel Riley: TV Host

Melissa Rivers: Actress, TV Host

Lindy Robbins: Artist

Jaimison M. Roberts: Attorney

Hanna Rochelle: Founder & President, Lyric Culture

Poao Pedro Rodrigues: Filmmaker

Robbie Rogers: Professional Soccer Player

Dan Rosen: President of Warner Music Australasia

Rick Rosen: Co-Founder, Endeavor

Howard Rosenman: Producer, Actor, Writer

Shep Rosenman: Partner, Katz Golden Roseman LLP

Phil Rosenthal: Writer, Producer

Michael Rotenberg: Partner, 3 Arts Entertainment

Autumn Rowe: Songwriter, Producer, DJ

David Russell: Manager, Crush Music

Haim Saban: Chairman & CEO, Saban Capital Group

Asif Satchu: Co-CEO, MRC and Producer

Jacqueline Saturn: President, Virgin Music

Danielle Savre: Actress

Ayelet Schiffman: SVP Head of Promotions, Island Records

Paul Schindler: Senior Chair of the New York Entertainment and Media Practice

Steve Schnur: President of Music, Electronic Arts

Jordan Schur: CEO & Chairman, Mimran Schur Pictures & Suretone Entertainment

Sam Schwartz: Partner, Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency

Camila Seta: Marketing & Content Strategy, Rogers & Cowan

DJ White Shadow: Producer/Artist

Iliza Shlesinger: Comedian, Actress

Emile Sherman: Director, Producer

Noah “Westside Gravy” Shufutinsky: Artist

Sia: Artist and Songwriter

Ben Silverman: Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Propagate Content

Gene Simmons: Artist, KISS

Ralph Simon: Chairman & CEO, Mobilium Global Limited

Marty Singer: Attorney, Lavely and Singer

Robert Singer: President, Dec. 3^rd Productions

Jeff Sosnow: EVP A&R, Warner Music

Nancy Spielberg: Filmmaker

Donna Spievak: Director of Strategic Marketing, Interscope Records

Justin Sternberg: Writer

Gary Stiffelman: Founder, GSS Law

Aaron Symonds: Composer

Traci Szymanski: President, Co-Star Entertainment

Alona Tal: Actress

Adam Taylor: President, APM Music

Fred Toczek: Partner, Felker Toczek Gelman Suddleson

Eric Tuchman: Writer, Producer

Jonathan Tucker: Actor

Ronli Tzour: VP Marketing & Manager, First Access Entertainment

Gal Uchovsky: Director

Ian Van der Putten: Cinemien

Tehran Von Ghasri: Entertainer

Ariel Vroman: Director

Jeremy Vuernick: Executive VP of A&R, Capitol Records

Diane Warren: Songwriter, Producer

Joshua Washington: Artist, Producer

Tom Watson: Former Shadow Secretary of State for Culture

Jon Weinbach: President, Skydance Sports

Nola Weinstein: Global Head of Culture & Experiential, Twitter

Ron West: Co-founder and Partner, Thruline Entertainment

Evan Winiker: Managing Partner, Range Media

Modi Wiczyk: Co-CEO, MRC and Producer

Jeffrey Winter: Executive Director, The Film Collaborative

Shirin Yadegar: Journalist

Sharon Tal Yguado: Founder & CEO, Astrid Entertainment

Sebastian Zar Esq.: Sedlmayr & Associates

David Zedeck: Global Head of Music, United Talent Agency

Additional Signers:

Phillip Guttmann: Writer, Producer

Orly Ravid: Founder & Co-Executive Director, The Film Collaborative

Amnon Lourie: Writer, Producer

Predrag Azdejkovix: Director, Merlinka Queer Film Festival – Belgrade

Nate Dushku: Director, Producer, Birder, Maplethorpe

Andrei Zinca: Director, Writer, Producer

Elana Podolskaya: Antipode Sales International LLC

Henrika Kull: Director

Thunska Pansittivorakul: Director, Sleep of Reasons Films

Marc Putman: CEO, PRIDEtv

Bjorn Koll: Salzgeber

Kai Tillman: Filmmaker

Jason Laurits: Filmmmaker

Adrian Hume Robinson: Actor, Filmmaker

Wiktor Morka: CEO, LGBT+ Film Festival Poland

Abe Gurko: Writer, Producer, Won’t Be Silent LLC

Stefan Manthey: Photographer

Kai Stanicke: Director

Laurent Burst: Photographer, Media Founder

Pauline Jabes: Filmmaker

Joshua Rosenzweig: Creative Executive

Andrea Krauss: Programming Director, Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival

Andy Vallentine: Director

Bohdan Zhuk: Director SUNNY BUNNY LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, Kyib

Allison Tate: Lead Producer, Big Boys Feature Film

Martin Rodriguez Redondo: Filmmaker

Olivier Ducastel: Director

Jacques Matineau: Director

Monika Treut: Hyena Films

Alante Kavaite: Film Director

Keith Levy: Sher Vine Inc.

Stefan Westerwelle: Director

Jakub Mroz: CEO, Tongariro Releasing

Romas Zabarauskas: Director

Michael Stock: Filmmaker

Marc Smolowitz: 13th Gen, Director, Producer, Executive Producer

Prederico Evaristo: Filmmaker, Brazil

Maria Katsikadakoy Cyber: Artist, Greece

Michelle Ehlen: Director, Producer

Rona Lee Shimon: Actor, Artist

Pepe Ruiloba: Film Critic, Festival Programmer

Amit Rahav: Actor

Ursula Raberger: Psychotherapist and Film Scientist

Jeffrey Schwarz: Documentary Filmmaker

Johanna Jackie Baier: Director

Malgorzata Kubiak: The Ego Trip Label

Ron Leshem: Writer, Producer

Moran Resenblatt: Actor

Eli Roth: Director

Kristina Maca: Director, Writer, Actor

Sonia Jean-Baptiste: Co-Founder & Head Programmer, Chelsea Film Festival NYC

Ingrid Jean-Baptiste: Founder & Artistic Director, Chelsea Film Festival NYC

Jen Cohn: Voiceover, On Camera, Gaming and Fashion

Wieland Speck: Filmmaker, ex Berlinale Panorama Director

FranckFiance-Madureira: President, Founder Queer Palm

Till Kleinert: Writer, Director

Stephane Riethauser: Director Lambda Prod

Fabian Stumm: Actor, Director

Rosa von Praunheim: Director

Daniela Aguinsky: Filmmaker, Artist Audiovisual

Julius Fedlmeier: Actor, Director

Clemens Schick: Actor

Elizabeth Ziff: Singer, Songwriter, Producer BETTY

Ofir Raul Grazier: Director

Matthew Nouriel: Director of Community Engagement, JIMENA

Tomer Heymman: Director

Yariv Mozer: Film Director

Dave Kim: Programmer, Seoul International PRIDE Film Festival

Shanni Suissa: CEO, Jews Talk Justice

Menina Putri Wismurti: Film Progammer

Dana Morag: Artistic Director, Tel Aviv Cinematheque

Michael Franco: Film Director

Eline Gehring: Director

Richard Resch: Singer

Mariana Cecilia Russo: Director, Producer, Sombracine SRL

Shawn Harris: Cultural Programs Specialist Tuscan Jewish Community Center

Amy Lord Posey: Eris Talent Agency Owner

Melissa Center: Actor, Filmmaker

Justin Arnold: Actor

Rachel Eddy: Actor, Writer

Paula Eiselt: Director and Producer

Rachel Turner Seed: Director

Jeremy Podgursky: Composer

Shara Ashley Zeiger: Actor, Filmmaker

Danny Manus: Script Consultant, Wrtier

Keetgi Kogan Steinberg: Writer, Producer, Screenwriter

Jamie Denbo: CO-EP, Grey’s Anatomy, Writer, Actor

Stephanie Liss: Founder, Artistic Director, The American Jewish Theatre

Wendy Engelberg: WGA East

Leslie Belzberg: Canucklehead Productions

Clifford Green: Screenwriter

Amy Engelberg: Writer

Patrick Moss: WGA Writer

Stafanie Leder: Writer, Producer, WGA

Alison Stover: Actor, Filmmmaker

Frederic Richter: Archival Producer & Researcher, Luminous Pictures

Avital Levy: Producer

Lisa Ullmann: Independent

Seth Nesenholtz: Screenwriter

** Note – The signers of this statement do so as individuals on their own behalf and not on behalf of their companies or organizations. All organizations and companies listed are for affiliation purposes only.

Cover Photo Collage: Photo Credits: Bill Porter: NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 05: Billy Porter attends Variety’s 2022 Power Of Women: New York Event Presented By Lifetime at The Glasshouse on May 05, 2022 in New York City. // Debra Messing: LOS ANGELES – JUN 9: Debra Messing at the “Will & Grace” FYC Event at the Harmony Gold Theatre on June 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, CA // Sia: LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 8, 2013: Australian singer Sia Furler at the 15th Anniversary TrevorLIVE gala to benefit the Trevor Project at the Hollywood Palladium. // Mila Kunis: Mila Kunis at Part 2-American Woman Fashioning a National Identity Benefit Gala Co-Hosted by GAP for the Costume Institute, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York May 3, 2010

CCFPeace In Quotes

Novak Djokovic

CCFPeace In Quotes

Daddy Yankee

CCFPeace In Quotes

Adam Sandler

CCFPeace In Article

David Zedeck, Brandon Goodman Among 2022 Ambassadors of Peace Honorees – Billboard

Read the original article here.

By Paul Grein

United Talent Agency’s global co-head of music David Zedeck and music managers Brandon Goodman and Danny Rukasin are among the honorees at the fourth annual Ambassadors of Peace (AOP) event on Oct. 26 in Beverly Hills. The outdoor event is sponsored by the non-profit, Creative Community for Peace (CCFP).

Other honorees include Autumn Rowe, who won a Grammy in April as a featured artist, songwriter and producer on Jon Batiste’s album of the year winner, We Are; four-time Emmy winner Eugene Levy (Schitt’s Creek and SCTV Network); and Emmy winner Darren Star (Sex and the City).

“Creative Community for Peace was founded by entertainment industry professionals passionate about the artistic community’s unique ability to act as a unifying force for tolerance and peace,” CCFP co-founder David Renzer and director Ari Ingel said in a statement. “CCFP believes strongly in artists’ ability to affect lives and affect positive change around the world. The 2022 AOP honorees exemplify the spirit of our mission – to build bridges and advocate for peace through the arts.”

Goodman and Rukasin co-founded Best Friends Music, a Los Angeles-based music management company, in 2018. They co-manage Grammy- and Academy Award winners Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, as well as mixing engineer Rob Kinelski, who has won five Grammys for his work with Eilish, and Bishop Briggs. They also have separate management clients. Goodman and Rukasin executive produced Apple TV’s Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry and Eilish’s Disney+ concert film Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles.

Zedeck previously served as Live Nation Entertainment’s executive vp and president of global talent and artist development.

In addition to Batiste, Rowe has collaborated with such artists as Dua Lipa, Pitbull, Zendaya, Ava Max, Leona Lewis, Tori Kelly and Kali Uchis. In a statement, Rowe said: “In today’s world, the arts can act as a panacea to division and fear. Through my work, I’ve prioritized using my platform to fight against racism and antisemitism. I’m honored to be recognized by CCFP, an organization who embodies my same commitment to use the arts as a conduit for peace and connection.”

Previous AOP honorees include Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr.; Grammy-winning songwriter and 14-time Oscar nominee Diane Warren; reggae great and eight-time Grammy winner Ziggy Marley; music manager Scooter Braun; and Warner Records CEO/co-chairman Aaron Bay-Schuck.

Tickets range from $250 for a general ticket to $100,000 for a 10-ticket sponsorship package. More information can be found on the event’s website.

October 2022