EXCLUSIVE: 5X Media, an international production studio, talent management and TV/film sales company, announced the signings of actor-writer-director Makrand Deshpande (Monkey Man), and actor, TikTok and social media influencer Rami Zeinn.
Deshpande, who most recently co-starred in Monkey Paw production, and Dev Patel’s directorial debut film, Monkey Man. Over his nearly four-decade career in Indian cinema and theater as an actor, writer and director, he has built a massive body of work. After working across six languages, Monkey Man marks his English-language debut.
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Zeinn, 23, a social media star sharing his unique take on style, food and comedy, has turned his focus to his onscreen endeavors. The Missouri native, raised in Virginia and Dubai, studied acting at Pace University and established himself as an actor/influencer while living in New York before moving to Los Angeles, where he is ready to grow his brand in Hollywood and apply his talent to the performing arts.
The signings, which come as 5X, develops, finances, produces and sells projects across all platforms worldwide, has strengthened its talent management team with the addition of talent manager Michael Morriatti and the promotion of literary manager Michael Swidler to partner.
“Michael Morriatti is a proven trailblazer in the expansion of talent management well beyond the traditional entertainment platforms,” said 5X Media Co-CEOs Alon Shtruzman and Gil Goldschein. “Michael Swidler has exceeded all of our expectations and is very deserving of this promotion. Both are pivotal in our plans to grow our talent management division with the same borderless and multi-platform mindset that defines 5X’s approach to everything we do.”
During more than a decade in the entertainment industry as a talent scout and executive, Morriatti honed his expertise in discovering talent early in their careers and placing them in commercials and films. He has several projects slated for 2024, in addition to an already notable technology portfolio. Morriatti recently signed Zeinn, with millions of followers across TikTok, Instagram and other social platforms, as well as Deshpand hot off his SWSX Monkey Man premiere success.
Swidler joined the company at its inception in January 2023, having previously worked in TV lit as an agent at Paradigm. To date, his client roster of more than 30 writers, directors and producers includes filmmaker Rose Troche (Go Fish, The L Word, Ginny & Georgia), director Ruben Garcia (Seal Team, BMF), producer/director David Straiton (Narcos, Law & Order: Toronto, The Good Doctor), producer/director/influencer Mike Caron (Danger Force), writer/director/producer Darren Dean (The Florida Project, Mosquito in the Ear), producer/director Sean Kavanagh (Fresh off The Boat, Doogie Kamealoaho) and director Joy Lane (Average Joe, Power Book III: Raising Kanan).