EP Melissa Beth and director Ruben Latre announced the launch of production company Hostage Films. The duo has been collaborating in various capacities since 2008, and founded the company to create brand-based content, commercials and features.
The duo first worked together at Kipany Pictures, where Beth signed Latre as part of the company’s commercial division’s roster. Following Kipany, she worked as Latre’s producer on various independent productions. Prior to launching Hostage Films, Bet hwas the east coast EP of atSwim, and Ruben was represented by Story.
Hostage Films is currently in postproduction on a project for Samsung, which brought them to Istanbul, Turkey and a remote location four hours outside of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This is the second year Ruben has directed and photographed this campaign for Samsung. Hostage Films has also just completed a short form project through DraftFCB NY as well as online content for Microsoft.
Since the beginning of 2013, Latre has been shooting around the world, first in Haiti and Tanzania for the Abbott Fund, followed by the launch campaign for the international art cooperative, Talents United. In February, Latre flew to Kiev to shoot a spot for Ogilvy, Ukraine, followed by a commercial shoot with Academy Award-winning DP Mauro Fiore (Avatar).
In addition to producing numerous commercials and long-form brand films, Beth has produced two feature films – the 2006 comedy The Immaculate Misconception and the 2008 drama Bittersweet starring Sarah Wayne Callies (The Walking Dead and Prison Break). She began her career as a producer for MTV.
“Hostage Films has evolved from our work together and is the culmination of our experiences working in entertainment and advertising worldwide,” said Beth. “I am thrilled to launch the company with such momentum, working side-by-side with Ruben.”
Laura Zinn of Zinndependent represents the company.
