Spotify Wrapped, But Make it Video
Find Out Who Ruled Your Screens This Year
Happy Holidays, friends, and welcome to the 35 people who’ve joined us through nominations since last week. This week we’re breaking from our typical format.
We promised you “Spotify Wrapped, but Make it Video.”
You shared your favorite creative work of the year.
Now: we’re regifting everything you gave us.
Enjoy!
— Jean Ellen and Kasia,
Portrait Co-Founders
Portrait 2022 — Gift-Bagged
In 2022, you championed new artists...
“I loved Aftersun. It’s such a beautiful feature from a first-time filmmaker [Charlotte Wells] – the cinematic sensibility totally blew me away.”
— Daniel Lombroso, Director, White Noise
… And you applauded the breakout success of old favorites.
“Everybody already knows they should see Everything Everywhere All at Once. It’s so great - one of those really special ones. I’ve been a fan of the Daniels [Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert] since Dogboarding.”
— Joe Posner, Head of Video, Semafor
You loved so many animated films, you couldn’t pick just one.
The animated films that nailed it this year:
Ice Merchants. A father and his son parachute from their cliffside cold house to sell ice in the village. (Just shortlisted for Best Animated Short Oscar)
Home. The story of a community as told through the history of a single building.
Tongue. A woman and her stolen tongues.
City of Ghosts. A Netflix series about a young girl who discovers her city by speaking with the town’s ghosts. “From last year but I've been revisiting it because it's just so charming.”
— Elyse Kelly, Director and Founder of Animation Studio Neon Zoo
One screenplay was love at first watch.
“My vote: The TAR Screenplay!! Iconic note on the title page before the script even starts.”
— William Day Frank, Writer, Fixation
Sometimes, you gave the screens a break.
A few of the podcasts your ears loved best:
Gone South is a new podcast by my friend and colleague Jed Lipinski (Fyre Fraud, The Pharmacist, journalist at The Times Picayune). Jed heard about the story from a DEA agent when he was working on The Pharmacist. Jed is a truly gifted and earnest journalist. He is also the person who did the original longform piece about Danny and Dan Schneider Sr. in the Times Picayune that led to The Pharmacist being made, and I champion him being in charge of creating this work and being able to get the credit for it.
— Kate Ferraguto, archival producer, Katrina Babies (2022)
Documenting a Death by Euthanasia
Sayre Quevedo's acceptance speech at the IDA Awards speaking truth to power -- in this case, the owners and managemnt of the NYTimes -- calling out their anti-trans and anti-lgbtq publishing, calling for the newspaper to bring back a Public Editor, and standing in solidarity with workers at the NYT who just held a one-day strike, fighting for a $65,000 minimum wage while the CEO received a $1.4 million dollar raise. Sayre's podcast Documenting a Death by Euthanasia won at the IDA Awards, congratulations Sayre! And thank you for using your platform to speak out!
— Yoni Golijov, producer, All the Beauty and Bloodshed (2022)
This holiday season, you’ve got one album on repeat.
“An album I love and recommend every holiday is Earth, Wind, and Fire's Holiday album, and point people to the song December, a straight cover of their song "September" and reinvented in 2014.”
– Fhay Arceo AKA DJ Broadstrokes
But your favorite of the five senses might be taste.
“Here is one I LOVE: How a Pitmaster Has Been Making Lamb Barbacoa Outside of LA for Forty Years.”
— Connor Reid, Director and Producer, Eater
You’re making your shortlists,
you’re checking them twice…
“The Academy Awards Shortlist for Best Documentary Feature dropped yesterday, and IndieWire's Anne Thompson will join us again to discuss the favorites and the longshots; the surprises--both on the list and off; as well as the notable awards campaigns. This was a fan favorite in 2021 — you won't want to miss it!”
— Ken Jacobson, Co-Host, Top Docs podcast, and Executive Director, Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
We’ve got an eye on these Portrait members and their Oscar shortlisted films. Congratulations to everyone shortlisted yesterday!
Amy Bench: “More Than I Want to Remember”
Carlos Rojas: The Territory
Emma Pildes: The Janes
Will Miller: The Territory and Nuisance Bear
Yoni Golijov: All the Beauty and the Bloodshed
… And you’re laughing all the way to 2023.
“Last week’s SNL featured Chloe Fineman doing an impression of Jennifer Coolidge at the holidays, and it’s HILARIOUS.
And this is my very favorite classic Christmas SNL sketch.”
— Kim Dilts, comedy writer
Thank you for joining us for our first two months.
We leave you with Jean Ellen’s favorite holiday Youtube video of all time. All we want for Christmas really is all of you!
Post-Credits Scene –
Where it All Began Edition
It has been a privilege to build for you this year.
Here’s how you can continue to help make Portrait special.
Find and add your friends as connections.
Were you in Portrait’s founding cohort? We’ve grown over 5X since then. Some of the people you nominated are now onboard. Login and say hi!Tag a friend to share some holiday spirit.
Tagging is now live! Tag someone in a post to celebrate their work and tag collaborators in your projects to give credit and spread the holiday cheer.Nominate friends who should be here in 2023.
You’ve built this beta community. Don’t stop now! Who do you want to see on Portrait in the new year?
We’ll see you on site, at Sundance, and in the New Year!
— JE + K