The film business has had to battle its way through everything from Covid shutdowns to strike-induced box office delays to steep competition from a tidal wave of high-priced streaming content over the past seven years.
The contraction in theatrical releases and the post-pandemic downturn at the box office has raised the stakes for every film release, from blockbusters to arty fare — so said a group of top theatrical marketing executives who spoke April 24 during a roundtable panel at Variety’s annual Entertainment Marketing Summit, presented by Deloitte.
“If you’re not an event movie for someone, you’re a movie for no one,” said Josh Goldstine, president of worldwide marketing for Warner Bros. Pictures Group, during the daylong, Sro event at the Beverly Hilton.
Goldstine noted the ante for theatrical films has been raised by “an extra $100 billion worth of streaming content that has entered the marketplace” since about 2017. Dwight Caines,...
The contraction in theatrical releases and the post-pandemic downturn at the box office has raised the stakes for every film release, from blockbusters to arty fare — so said a group of top theatrical marketing executives who spoke April 24 during a roundtable panel at Variety’s annual Entertainment Marketing Summit, presented by Deloitte.
“If you’re not an event movie for someone, you’re a movie for no one,” said Josh Goldstine, president of worldwide marketing for Warner Bros. Pictures Group, during the daylong, Sro event at the Beverly Hilton.
Goldstine noted the ante for theatrical films has been raised by “an extra $100 billion worth of streaming content that has entered the marketplace” since about 2017. Dwight Caines,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
George Miller paid tribute to his Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga star Anya Taylor-Joy and reminisced about ditching a career in medicine for cinema at CinemaCon’s International Day Lunch and awards ceremony on Monday.
Miller, the recipient of the International Career Achievement in Filmmaking award, recalled in a fireside chat how Edgar Wright had encouraged him to cast Taylor-Joy after the British director screened a preview of Last Night In Soho.
The Australian filmmaker followed the advice and reflected, “There’s something mystical about her.” Furiosa premieres out of competition in Cannes on May 15 and opens on May...
Miller, the recipient of the International Career Achievement in Filmmaking award, recalled in a fireside chat how Edgar Wright had encouraged him to cast Taylor-Joy after the British director screened a preview of Last Night In Soho.
The Australian filmmaker followed the advice and reflected, “There’s something mystical about her.” Furiosa premieres out of competition in Cannes on May 15 and opens on May...
- 4/9/2024
- ScreenDaily
Before Focus Features released Edgar Wright’s neo-noir thriller Last Night in Soho in October 2021, the filmmaker showed a cut to pal George Miller. The Australian director was so struck by star Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance that he went back to Wright with an idea.
“I said, ‘Gee, she’d be good for…,’” detailed Miller, who then said Wright interjected before he could finish the thought. “[He said], ‘Do it, do it. She’s great.’” Miller took Wright’s concise advice and cast Taylor-Joy in the title role of Warner Bros. Pictures’ Furiosa, the newest installment of his blockbuster Mad Max franchise. She plays a young woman in a dystopian universe who was snatched from home only to fall into the hands of the great Biker Horde led by the Warlord of Dementus, played by Chris Hemsworth. Furiosa is then forced to withstand many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home.
“I said, ‘Gee, she’d be good for…,’” detailed Miller, who then said Wright interjected before he could finish the thought. “[He said], ‘Do it, do it. She’s great.’” Miller took Wright’s concise advice and cast Taylor-Joy in the title role of Warner Bros. Pictures’ Furiosa, the newest installment of his blockbuster Mad Max franchise. She plays a young woman in a dystopian universe who was snatched from home only to fall into the hands of the great Biker Horde led by the Warlord of Dementus, played by Chris Hemsworth. Furiosa is then forced to withstand many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home.
- 4/8/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Distributors who adhere to longer exclusive theatrical windows can mitigate against digital piracy, the CinemaCon panel ‘Changing Tastes And Changing Landscapes’ head on Monday.
Cinepolis COO Miguel Mier said digital content was an easier target for criminals, concluding: “The longer the window, the better our business and the less pirated it is.”
Rebecca Kearey, EVP/head of business operations and international at Searchlight Pictures agreed. “If you’re a studio and you control global distribution, you can mitigate some of this because you’re working on windows. If you’re an independent, it’s much harder.”
The panel also addressed the success of local-language cinema.
Cinepolis COO Miguel Mier said digital content was an easier target for criminals, concluding: “The longer the window, the better our business and the less pirated it is.”
Rebecca Kearey, EVP/head of business operations and international at Searchlight Pictures agreed. “If you’re a studio and you control global distribution, you can mitigate some of this because you’re working on windows. If you’re an independent, it’s much harder.”
The panel also addressed the success of local-language cinema.
- 4/8/2024
- ScreenDaily
The global box office saw some encouraging rebound in 2023, and is off to a better than expected start in the first quarter of this year, but there’s been concern about a downward trend in per capita admissions, and not just because of the strikes’ disruption to the Hollywood theatrical pipeline, but audiences’ moviegoing tendencies have changed coming out of Covid. How to solve?
It takes two to tango, specifically between exhibitors and studios in order to rally moviegoing back to pre-pandemic heyday levels; last year’s near $34 billion global box office was still 15% behind the 2017-2019 average.
It all comes down to both studios and theater chains “working together to share information” said Paramount SVP, International Distribution, Helen Moss, “to elevate something new you can’t get at home.”
Moss’ remarks were made today during the CinemaCon Las Vegas session “Changing Tastes and Changing Landscapes” moderated by Deadline International Box Office Editor Nancy Tartaglione.
It takes two to tango, specifically between exhibitors and studios in order to rally moviegoing back to pre-pandemic heyday levels; last year’s near $34 billion global box office was still 15% behind the 2017-2019 average.
It all comes down to both studios and theater chains “working together to share information” said Paramount SVP, International Distribution, Helen Moss, “to elevate something new you can’t get at home.”
Moss’ remarks were made today during the CinemaCon Las Vegas session “Changing Tastes and Changing Landscapes” moderated by Deadline International Box Office Editor Nancy Tartaglione.
- 4/8/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
When deciding whether make Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things, Searchlight Pictures and parent company Disney believed the movie would be able to earn north of $100 at the global box office. After all, the project was reuniting Lanthimos with Emma Stone, one of Hollywood’s on-fire actresses who had starred in the filmmaker’s Oscar-nominated The Favourite, while he himself had developed a cult following. But when execs saw the completed film, some had their doubts, according to one source close to the project.
Would moviegoers embrace a genre-bending, Victorian-set tale about a Frankenstein-like doctor who puts a baby’s brain inside the dying mother’s body, only to unleash a woman with blissfully innocent mindset that thinks nothing of masturbating in front of others or spitting out a mouthful of food in a swanky restaurant. She embarks on a hedonistic adventure with a debauched lawyer — her word for...
Would moviegoers embrace a genre-bending, Victorian-set tale about a Frankenstein-like doctor who puts a baby’s brain inside the dying mother’s body, only to unleash a woman with blissfully innocent mindset that thinks nothing of masturbating in front of others or spitting out a mouthful of food in a swanky restaurant. She embarks on a hedonistic adventure with a debauched lawyer — her word for...
- 3/10/2024
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Searchlight Pictures’ vice president of national publicity Diana Loomis is leaving the studio after nearly two decades as head of its East Coast office.
Loomis will depart at the end of the summer after completing work on “Flamin’ Hot,” “Theater Camp” and “Poor Things” to launch a consulting operation specializing in theatrical and streaming releases, and awards campaigns for motion picture and streaming companies.
“I’ve had some amazing years at Searchlight with incredible, unique films — truly innovative filmmakers gravitate to this place,” Loomis said in statement on Wednesday. “I’m grateful to Nancy Utley, Steve Gilula, David Greenbaum, Matthew Greenfield, Michelle Hooper, Rebecca Kearey and, of course, our New York and Los Angeles publicity teams and looking forward to new experiences in the industry with new and old friends and colleagues.”
Loomis began her tenure at the studio — known then as Fox Searchlight Pictures — in 2006 with the release of “Little Miss Sunshine.
Loomis will depart at the end of the summer after completing work on “Flamin’ Hot,” “Theater Camp” and “Poor Things” to launch a consulting operation specializing in theatrical and streaming releases, and awards campaigns for motion picture and streaming companies.
“I’ve had some amazing years at Searchlight with incredible, unique films — truly innovative filmmakers gravitate to this place,” Loomis said in statement on Wednesday. “I’m grateful to Nancy Utley, Steve Gilula, David Greenbaum, Matthew Greenfield, Michelle Hooper, Rebecca Kearey and, of course, our New York and Los Angeles publicity teams and looking forward to new experiences in the industry with new and old friends and colleagues.”
Loomis began her tenure at the studio — known then as Fox Searchlight Pictures — in 2006 with the release of “Little Miss Sunshine.
- 7/12/2023
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
“The next 12 months looks pretty good,” said one attendee.
Slate diversity, sustainability, the return of the theatrical window and the Tom Cruise wow factor dominated conversations between distributors and exhibitors in Barcelona at CineEurope (June 20-23), the annual convention for European cinema operators. The event returned to its June slot following a pandemic-impacted October edition last year, and no CineEurope at all in 2020.
Studios promise life beyond the blockbuster
While box office has been showing healthy signs of recovery in most markets in 2022, the success has been driven by a relatively small number of blockbusters, with cinema operators lamenting a lack of mid-tier dramas,...
Slate diversity, sustainability, the return of the theatrical window and the Tom Cruise wow factor dominated conversations between distributors and exhibitors in Barcelona at CineEurope (June 20-23), the annual convention for European cinema operators. The event returned to its June slot following a pandemic-impacted October edition last year, and no CineEurope at all in 2020.
Studios promise life beyond the blockbuster
While box office has been showing healthy signs of recovery in most markets in 2022, the success has been driven by a relatively small number of blockbusters, with cinema operators lamenting a lack of mid-tier dramas,...
- 6/24/2022
- by Charles Gant
- ScreenDaily
Disney kicked off its CineEurope presentation in Barcelona today with 12 minutes of footage from July’s Marvel fourquel Thor: Love And Thunder, and throughout the show teased trailers and looks at its other upcoming titles including four never-before-seen scenes from James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way Of Water.
Ahead of the Thor footage, Disney’s Head of Global Theatrical Distribution Tony Chambers stressed the importance of immersive storytelling and the studio’s “robust, diverse slate” which kicked off about 60 minutes of footage that was then introduced by Emea Head of Theatrical Distribution Nick Rush and Emea Head of Studio Marketing Lee Jury.
There were pre-recorded messages from the likes of Marvel boss Kevin Feige who noted that even after 14 years it “feels like we’re just getting started.” Thor star Chris Hemsworth lamented not being in Barcelona for the sangria which “always tastes better” in the Spanish town as he...
Ahead of the Thor footage, Disney’s Head of Global Theatrical Distribution Tony Chambers stressed the importance of immersive storytelling and the studio’s “robust, diverse slate” which kicked off about 60 minutes of footage that was then introduced by Emea Head of Theatrical Distribution Nick Rush and Emea Head of Studio Marketing Lee Jury.
There were pre-recorded messages from the likes of Marvel boss Kevin Feige who noted that even after 14 years it “feels like we’re just getting started.” Thor star Chris Hemsworth lamented not being in Barcelona for the sangria which “always tastes better” in the Spanish town as he...
- 6/23/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Matthew Greenfield, David Greenbaum both promoted to president. Expanded role for Searchlight Pictures International head Rebecca Kearey.
In a surprise announcement in the run-up to Sunday’s Oscars where Searchlight Pictures is in contention with awards heavyweight Nomadland, chairmen Nancy Utley and Steve Gilula are to retire from the specialty division after more than two decades.
Longtime Searchlight production heads Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum have both been promoted to president, Searchlight, and will jointly run the company. They report to Disney Studios content chairman Alan Bergman and Disney Studios content chief creative officer Alan Horn.
The shake-up brings an...
In a surprise announcement in the run-up to Sunday’s Oscars where Searchlight Pictures is in contention with awards heavyweight Nomadland, chairmen Nancy Utley and Steve Gilula are to retire from the specialty division after more than two decades.
Longtime Searchlight production heads Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum have both been promoted to president, Searchlight, and will jointly run the company. They report to Disney Studios content chairman Alan Bergman and Disney Studios content chief creative officer Alan Horn.
The shake-up brings an...
- 4/20/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Matthew Greenfield, David Greenbaum both promoted to president. Expanded role for Searchlight Pictures International head Rebecca Kearey.
In a surprise announcement, Searchlight Pictures chairmen Nancy Utley and Steve Gilula are to retire from the specialty division after more than two decades.
Longtime Searchlight production heads Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum have both been promoted to president, Searchlight, and will jointly run the company. They report to Disney Studios content chairman Alan Bergman and Disney Studios content chief creative officer Alan Horn.
The shake-up brings an expanded role for respected president of Searchlight Pictures International Rebecca Kearey, who now adds business...
In a surprise announcement, Searchlight Pictures chairmen Nancy Utley and Steve Gilula are to retire from the specialty division after more than two decades.
Longtime Searchlight production heads Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum have both been promoted to president, Searchlight, and will jointly run the company. They report to Disney Studios content chairman Alan Bergman and Disney Studios content chief creative officer Alan Horn.
The shake-up brings an expanded role for respected president of Searchlight Pictures International Rebecca Kearey, who now adds business...
- 4/20/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Searchlight Pictures Chairmen Steve Gilula and Nancy Utley will retire after more than two decades at the company, Disney announced on Tuesday.
Searchlight veterans Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum, the studio’s longtime heads of production, have both been promoted to president and will jointly run the company. They will report to Disney’s Content Chief Creative Officer Alan Horn and Disney Studios Content Chairman Alan Bergman.
“Thanks to the stewardship and pitch-perfect creative instincts of Steve Gilula and Nancy Utley, Searchlight has cemented itself as one of the finest film studios in history, and we commend and thank them for their incredible leadership, especially throughout the integration of Searchlight at Disney,” Bergman and Horn said. “They are leaving the studio in the talented hands of Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum, who have been a critical part of Searchlight’s success over many years and we’re confident they will...
Searchlight veterans Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum, the studio’s longtime heads of production, have both been promoted to president and will jointly run the company. They will report to Disney’s Content Chief Creative Officer Alan Horn and Disney Studios Content Chairman Alan Bergman.
“Thanks to the stewardship and pitch-perfect creative instincts of Steve Gilula and Nancy Utley, Searchlight has cemented itself as one of the finest film studios in history, and we commend and thank them for their incredible leadership, especially throughout the integration of Searchlight at Disney,” Bergman and Horn said. “They are leaving the studio in the talented hands of Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum, who have been a critical part of Searchlight’s success over many years and we’re confident they will...
- 4/20/2021
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
A seismic shift here in the independent film sphere in the walk-up to Oscar Sunday: Longtime Searchlight Pictures Chairmen Nancy Utley (65) and Steve Gilula (70) have announced their retirement after a two decades-plus run with the classic label which Disney purchased from Fox.
Searchlight veterans Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum, the studio’s longtime heads of production, have both been promoted to President, Searchlight, and will jointly run the company. Greenbaum and Greenfield will report to Disney Studios Content Chairman Alan Bergman and Disney Studios Content Chief Creative Officer Alan Horn.
The news comes just before Oscar Sunday when Searchlight’s Nomadland starring Frances McDormand is expected to notch the Best Picture and Best Director win for filmmaker Chloe Zhao. Should Zhao win Best Director, she’ll be the second woman to do so at the Oscars and the first person of color. To date, Nomadland has won the PGA, DGA,...
Searchlight veterans Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum, the studio’s longtime heads of production, have both been promoted to President, Searchlight, and will jointly run the company. Greenbaum and Greenfield will report to Disney Studios Content Chairman Alan Bergman and Disney Studios Content Chief Creative Officer Alan Horn.
The news comes just before Oscar Sunday when Searchlight’s Nomadland starring Frances McDormand is expected to notch the Best Picture and Best Director win for filmmaker Chloe Zhao. Should Zhao win Best Director, she’ll be the second woman to do so at the Oscars and the first person of color. To date, Nomadland has won the PGA, DGA,...
- 4/20/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Indie film stalwarts Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula are retiring as co-chairmen of Searchlight Pictures.
The longtime executives and producers behind the unit, formerly Fox Searchlight, will be replaced by executives David Greenbaum and Matthew Greenfield. Utley and Gilula each served more than two decades at the label, offering consistency and prestige cinema through ownership changes and market transformation. The news comes as Searchlight’s “Nomadland” is heavily tipped to win Best Picture at this Sunday’s Oscars.
Greenbaum and Greenfield, equally long-serving heads of production, have been elevated to co-presidents and will report to Disney Studios Content chairman Alan Bergman and chief creative officer Alan Horn. The Walt Disney Company purchased Searchlight as part of its 2019 deal for the Murdoch family’s entertainment assets.
“Thanks to the stewardship and pitch-perfect creative instincts of Steve Gilula and Nancy Utley, Searchlight has cemented itself as one of the finest film studios in history,...
The longtime executives and producers behind the unit, formerly Fox Searchlight, will be replaced by executives David Greenbaum and Matthew Greenfield. Utley and Gilula each served more than two decades at the label, offering consistency and prestige cinema through ownership changes and market transformation. The news comes as Searchlight’s “Nomadland” is heavily tipped to win Best Picture at this Sunday’s Oscars.
Greenbaum and Greenfield, equally long-serving heads of production, have been elevated to co-presidents and will report to Disney Studios Content chairman Alan Bergman and chief creative officer Alan Horn. The Walt Disney Company purchased Searchlight as part of its 2019 deal for the Murdoch family’s entertainment assets.
“Thanks to the stewardship and pitch-perfect creative instincts of Steve Gilula and Nancy Utley, Searchlight has cemented itself as one of the finest film studios in history,...
- 4/20/2021
- by Matt Donnelly and Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Covid-19 and its long-term affects on film marketing took center stage at the Keynote Marketing Roundtable event on Wednesday, as part of Variety‘s Entertainment Marketing Summit.
Brent Lang, Variety‘s executive editor of film and media, moderated the panel conversation, which featured various professionals from the marketing side of the film industry. Participants included Paul Noble, co-president of global marketing at Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sumyi Antonson, senior vice president of marketing and distribution at Neon, Rebecca Kearey, president of Searchlight Pictures International, Dwight Caines, co-president of marketing at Universal Pictures, Jason Cassidy, vice chairman of Focus Features, and Christian Davin, global head of movie marketing at Amazon Studios.
Throughout the event, they discussed the need to be flexible during the pandemic, new technological approaches to advertising, and the durability of the exhibition business, which has been hit hard by coronavirus closures.
“In the old days so to speak, we...
Brent Lang, Variety‘s executive editor of film and media, moderated the panel conversation, which featured various professionals from the marketing side of the film industry. Participants included Paul Noble, co-president of global marketing at Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sumyi Antonson, senior vice president of marketing and distribution at Neon, Rebecca Kearey, president of Searchlight Pictures International, Dwight Caines, co-president of marketing at Universal Pictures, Jason Cassidy, vice chairman of Focus Features, and Christian Davin, global head of movie marketing at Amazon Studios.
Throughout the event, they discussed the need to be flexible during the pandemic, new technological approaches to advertising, and the durability of the exhibition business, which has been hit hard by coronavirus closures.
“In the old days so to speak, we...
- 8/31/2020
- by Eli Countryman
- Variety Film + TV
Fox Searchlight Pictures and Celluloid Dreams have joined forces to co-distribute Benh Zeitlin’s “Wendy” which is set to world premiere at Sundance.
The movie, which will be released in the U.S. on Feb. 28 by Fox Searchlight Pictures, tells wildly reimagined story of Peter Pan through the eyes of Wendy, who finds herself lost on a mysterious island where aging and time have come unglued. Wendy must fight to save her family, her freedom, and the joyous spirit of youth from the deadly peril of growing up. Headlined by newcomer Devin France, the film was produced by Becky Glupczynski, Dan Janvey, Paul Mezey and Josh Penn.
“We are looking forward to working closely with (Celluloid Dreams’s) Hengameh Panahi and Charlotte Mickie on the international distribution plans for Benh Zeitlin’s incredible second film,” said Rebecca Kearey, Searchlight International president.
Zeitlin is best known for his critically acclaimed coming-of-drama...
The movie, which will be released in the U.S. on Feb. 28 by Fox Searchlight Pictures, tells wildly reimagined story of Peter Pan through the eyes of Wendy, who finds herself lost on a mysterious island where aging and time have come unglued. Wendy must fight to save her family, her freedom, and the joyous spirit of youth from the deadly peril of growing up. Headlined by newcomer Devin France, the film was produced by Becky Glupczynski, Dan Janvey, Paul Mezey and Josh Penn.
“We are looking forward to working closely with (Celluloid Dreams’s) Hengameh Panahi and Charlotte Mickie on the international distribution plans for Benh Zeitlin’s incredible second film,” said Rebecca Kearey, Searchlight International president.
Zeitlin is best known for his critically acclaimed coming-of-drama...
- 1/16/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Ahead of the film’s premiere at Sundance, Fox Searchlight and French sales outfit Celluloid Dreams have partnered on international rights to Wendy, the hotly-anticipated first directing joint for Benh Zeitlin since his 2012 debut Beasts Of The Southern Wild.
The pic is dated for a U.S. release on February 28 via Searchlight. Celluloid Dreams has now taken on the rest of the world, excluding South America, Italy, South Africa, German-speaking territories, Poland, China, Hong Kong, and Airlines – Fox retains those rights.
Celluloid Dreams will begin selling territories at Sundance.
The news follows Disney’s acquisition of Fox last year. Searchlight continues to operate as its own entity, now owned by Disney, but its films have been added to a packed Disney slate.
Wendy stars newcomer Devin France as Wendy. It tells a reimagining of the classic Peter Pan story. Lost on a mysterious island where aging and time have come unglued,...
The pic is dated for a U.S. release on February 28 via Searchlight. Celluloid Dreams has now taken on the rest of the world, excluding South America, Italy, South Africa, German-speaking territories, Poland, China, Hong Kong, and Airlines – Fox retains those rights.
Celluloid Dreams will begin selling territories at Sundance.
The news follows Disney’s acquisition of Fox last year. Searchlight continues to operate as its own entity, now owned by Disney, but its films have been added to a packed Disney slate.
Wendy stars newcomer Devin France as Wendy. It tells a reimagining of the classic Peter Pan story. Lost on a mysterious island where aging and time have come unglued,...
- 1/16/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s “business as usual” at Fox Searchlight Pictures, despite the change in corporate parent, co-chairmen Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula told an industry audience at the BFI London Film Festival Friday.
The execs said that Disney CEO Bob Iger’s commitment to leave Fox Searchlight alone was reaffirmed when Iger and Walt Disney Studios co-chairmen Alan Horn and Alan Bergman watched Taika Waititi’s Adolf Hitler satire “Jojo Rabbit.” Utley, who described it as “a big test for me,” said: “They really appreciated it and the message it is having, and what we are trying to do. So I don’t see any material changes in the way we work.”
Gilula added: “In some of the press there has been all this concern, but people forget that Disney owned Miramax for many, many years and released all kinds of movies. I think their issue [with Miramax] was not the movies but the management.
The execs said that Disney CEO Bob Iger’s commitment to leave Fox Searchlight alone was reaffirmed when Iger and Walt Disney Studios co-chairmen Alan Horn and Alan Bergman watched Taika Waititi’s Adolf Hitler satire “Jojo Rabbit.” Utley, who described it as “a big test for me,” said: “They really appreciated it and the message it is having, and what we are trying to do. So I don’t see any material changes in the way we work.”
Gilula added: “In some of the press there has been all this concern, but people forget that Disney owned Miramax for many, many years and released all kinds of movies. I think their issue [with Miramax] was not the movies but the management.
- 10/4/2019
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Topics ranged from emerging markets, digital challenges, and the combined might of Disney and Fox.
Emerging markets, digital challenges, and the combined might of Disney and Fox dominated the conversation between distributors and exhibitors at CineEurope, the annual exhibition form held in Barcelona this week (June 17-20).
The Disney/Fox mega-slate
For the first time at CineEurope these two iconic studios presented together after Disney’s acquisition of Fox was confirmed earlier this year. Clocking in at around two hours, it showcased the unprecedented amount of IP the company now controls; Disney Live action, Marvel, Star Wars, Fox, Blue Sky and Fox Searchlight.
Emerging markets, digital challenges, and the combined might of Disney and Fox dominated the conversation between distributors and exhibitors at CineEurope, the annual exhibition form held in Barcelona this week (June 17-20).
The Disney/Fox mega-slate
For the first time at CineEurope these two iconic studios presented together after Disney’s acquisition of Fox was confirmed earlier this year. Clocking in at around two hours, it showcased the unprecedented amount of IP the company now controls; Disney Live action, Marvel, Star Wars, Fox, Blue Sky and Fox Searchlight.
- 6/21/2019
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
At Disney’s first CineEurope presentation since it acquired Fox, execs offered a select look at the combined slate here in Barcelona this evening. The session, which followed on from the combined CinemaCon presentation in April, included a first-ever (work-in-progress) trailer for live-action adaptation Mulan, new scenes from Frozen 2, extended footage from Terminator: Dark Fate (which Paramount has domestically) and a surprise guest in the form of Tom Hanks who was introduced by Cathleen Taff, Disney’s President of Theatrical Distribution, Franchise Management and Business & Audience Insights.
Hanks, the only major star to hit the Barcelona stage this year, has recently been on a promotional tour for Toy Story 4 and charmed attendees, talking about the history of the franchise, praising the latest installment — which has received glowing reviews — and throwing in a wink to other Disney pics from Black Panther to Star Wars. Toy Story 4 goes domestically on...
Hanks, the only major star to hit the Barcelona stage this year, has recently been on a promotional tour for Toy Story 4 and charmed attendees, talking about the history of the franchise, praising the latest installment — which has received glowing reviews — and throwing in a wink to other Disney pics from Black Panther to Star Wars. Toy Story 4 goes domestically on...
- 6/19/2019
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Fox Searchlight Pictures International has promoted Roya Vakili to Senior Vice President Marketing, its president Rebecca Kearey announced today.
Vakili was previously Vice President.
Since joining Searchlight in 2006, Vakili has managed all international marketing functions, working across the entire Searchlight slate, including the recent international campaigns for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,”(international box office of $103 million and still in theaters) and “The Shape of Water” (international box office of $131 million and still in theaters).
Also Read: Fox Searchlight Promotes Executives Katie Goodson-Thomas, Taylor Friedman
“Roya has helped to build the campaigns for many of our most successful international box office hits,” Kearey said in a statement. “She covers the whole gamut of marketing for our films, and her consummate creativity has made her an invaluable member of our team.”
Prior to joining Fox Searchlight Pictures, Vakili was the promotions director for two Clear Channel Washington D.C. radio stations, and also worked for Ubisoft Entertainment in San Francisco as an international product manager. She has an Mba from Pepperdine University and an Mfa from the Producers Program at UCLA. During her time at Searchlight, she has worked on the international marketing campaigns for many of the studio’s most successful films, including “Black Swan,” “Birdman,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” “The Descendants” and “Juno.”
Read original story Fox Searchlight International Promotes Roya Vakili to Svp, Marketing At TheWrap...
Vakili was previously Vice President.
Since joining Searchlight in 2006, Vakili has managed all international marketing functions, working across the entire Searchlight slate, including the recent international campaigns for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,”(international box office of $103 million and still in theaters) and “The Shape of Water” (international box office of $131 million and still in theaters).
Also Read: Fox Searchlight Promotes Executives Katie Goodson-Thomas, Taylor Friedman
“Roya has helped to build the campaigns for many of our most successful international box office hits,” Kearey said in a statement. “She covers the whole gamut of marketing for our films, and her consummate creativity has made her an invaluable member of our team.”
Prior to joining Fox Searchlight Pictures, Vakili was the promotions director for two Clear Channel Washington D.C. radio stations, and also worked for Ubisoft Entertainment in San Francisco as an international product manager. She has an Mba from Pepperdine University and an Mfa from the Producers Program at UCLA. During her time at Searchlight, she has worked on the international marketing campaigns for many of the studio’s most successful films, including “Black Swan,” “Birdman,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” “The Descendants” and “Juno.”
Read original story Fox Searchlight International Promotes Roya Vakili to Svp, Marketing At TheWrap...
- 5/4/2018
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
The lineup is set for this year’s Inside Pictures, the business training and development programme for international and U.S. film execs. This year’s lineup comprises:
Alison Meese – Head of UK Acquisitions, StudioCanal, United Kingdom
Carla Quarto di Palo – Director of International Sales, Cornerstone Films, United Kingdom
Charlotte Mardon-Heath – Senior Marketing Manager – New Media, Entertainment One, United Kingdom
Eun-Zi Kim – Business and Legal Affairs Manager, Dcm, Germany
Gijs Kerbosch – Managing Partner / Producer, Halal, The Netherlands
Janey van Ierland – CEO / Talent Manager, nummer19 management, The Netherlands
Jo Allan – Storyworlds Producer, The Ink Factory, United Kingdom
John Keville – Managing Director / Producer, Savage Productions, Ireland
Jonathan Halperyn – Producer / Evp Business Development, Korda Studios, Hungary
Jørgen Storm Rosenberg – Producer, 74 Entertainment, Norway
Justin Kelly – Head of Business and Legal Affairs, Hanway Films & Recorded Picture Company, United Kingdom
Kęstutis Drazdauskas – Producer, Artbox, Lithuania
Kristine M. I. Knudsen – Producer, Den siste skilling As, Norway
Marina Brackenbury – Development Producer,...
Alison Meese – Head of UK Acquisitions, StudioCanal, United Kingdom
Carla Quarto di Palo – Director of International Sales, Cornerstone Films, United Kingdom
Charlotte Mardon-Heath – Senior Marketing Manager – New Media, Entertainment One, United Kingdom
Eun-Zi Kim – Business and Legal Affairs Manager, Dcm, Germany
Gijs Kerbosch – Managing Partner / Producer, Halal, The Netherlands
Janey van Ierland – CEO / Talent Manager, nummer19 management, The Netherlands
Jo Allan – Storyworlds Producer, The Ink Factory, United Kingdom
John Keville – Managing Director / Producer, Savage Productions, Ireland
Jonathan Halperyn – Producer / Evp Business Development, Korda Studios, Hungary
Jørgen Storm Rosenberg – Producer, 74 Entertainment, Norway
Justin Kelly – Head of Business and Legal Affairs, Hanway Films & Recorded Picture Company, United Kingdom
Kęstutis Drazdauskas – Producer, Artbox, Lithuania
Kristine M. I. Knudsen – Producer, Den siste skilling As, Norway
Marina Brackenbury – Development Producer,...
- 4/30/2018
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Fox Searchlight has promoted Katie Goodson-Thomas to senior vice-president of production, and Taylor Friedman to vice-president of production.
Fox Searchlight has promoted Katie Goodson-Thomas to senior vice-president of production, and Taylor Friedman to vice-president of production, effective immediately.
Goodson-Thomas (pictured at left) heads the London production team and works closely with president of Fox Searchlight International Rebecca Kearey. She joined the company in 2015 and is in post on Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Favourite and Dome Karukoski’s Tolkien. She has overseen eight films for the studio, among them Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and Far From The Madding Crowd.
Friedman helped...
Fox Searchlight has promoted Katie Goodson-Thomas to senior vice-president of production, and Taylor Friedman to vice-president of production, effective immediately.
Goodson-Thomas (pictured at left) heads the London production team and works closely with president of Fox Searchlight International Rebecca Kearey. She joined the company in 2015 and is in post on Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Favourite and Dome Karukoski’s Tolkien. She has overseen eight films for the studio, among them Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and Far From The Madding Crowd.
Friedman helped...
- 4/25/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The Favorite, Wendy in post.
Fox Searchlight has promoted Katie Goodson-Thomas to senior vice-president of production, and Taylor Friedman to vice-president of production, effective immediately.
Goodson-Thomas (pictured at left) heads the London production team and works closely with president of Fox Searchlight International Rebecca Kearey. She joined the company in 2015 and is in post on Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Favourite and Dome Karukoski’s Tolkien. She has overseen eight films for the studio, among them Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and Far From The Madding Crowd.
Friedman helped to oversee Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and is in post on David Lowery...
Fox Searchlight has promoted Katie Goodson-Thomas to senior vice-president of production, and Taylor Friedman to vice-president of production, effective immediately.
Goodson-Thomas (pictured at left) heads the London production team and works closely with president of Fox Searchlight International Rebecca Kearey. She joined the company in 2015 and is in post on Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Favourite and Dome Karukoski’s Tolkien. She has overseen eight films for the studio, among them Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and Far From The Madding Crowd.
Friedman helped to oversee Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and is in post on David Lowery...
- 4/25/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Fox Searchlight has promoted Katie Goodson-Thomas to Senior Vice President of Production, and Taylor Friedman has been promoted to Vice President of Production effective immediately.
The promotions were announced on Wednesday by Fox Searchlight Pictures Presidents of Production Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum. Goodson-Thomas is based in London. Both Goodson-Thomas and Friedman will continue to report to Greenfield and Greenbaum in Los Angeles.
“Katie and Taylor each possess remarkable creative instincts and rigorous dedication to their projects, and to Searchlight as a whole. They have been essential members of the production team and we are proud that this elevation in their titles reflects their tremendous contributions,” said Greenbaum and Greenfield.
Also Read: Guillermo del Toro Signs Overall Production Deal at Fox Searchlight
“I’m proud to call myself one of the Fox Searchlight family as we aim to be bold and innovative; a passionate and creative home for directors, writers and producers, successfully supporting and bringing the best of British and European talent to audiences everywhere. It’s an incredible company, an incredible time, and I’m honored to be a part of it,” said Goodson-Thomas.
“I’m thrilled to continue my work at Fox Searchlight, with such an incredible team of mentors and colleagues who have supported my growth. It has been a privilege and a joy to be at a company that champions collaborations with brilliant auteurs and to discover new and exciting filmmakers, providing a global platform to bring their singular voices to the world,” said Friedman.
Goodson-Thomas heads up the London production team, focusing primarily on bringing British talent and or material to a world-wide audience, also collaborating closely with Rebecca Kearey, President of Fox Searchlight International. Goodson-Thomas joined Fox Searchlight in 2015, and has overseen eight film productions; including “Far From the Madding Crowd,” Martin McDonagh’s “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” the forthcoming James Kent’s 2019 release “The Aftermath” starring Keira Knightley, Alexander Skarsgård and Jason Clarke.
Also Read: 'Isle of Dogs' Stays Atop Indie Box Office in Second Weekend as 'Gemini' Opens
Goodson-Thomas started her career over twenty years ago, working with Graham Broadbent and Damian Jones at Dragon Pictures. Before joining Fox Searchlight, Goodson-Thomas was a Producer, and Head of Film for Chris Coen’s Unanimous Pictures. Previous to that she was a Senior Production Executive at Origin Pictures.
Friedman began as an assistant in production at Fox Searchlight in 2009, and worked her way up within the production department.
Read original story Fox Searchlight Promotes Executives Katie Goodson-Thomas, Taylor Friedman At TheWrap...
The promotions were announced on Wednesday by Fox Searchlight Pictures Presidents of Production Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum. Goodson-Thomas is based in London. Both Goodson-Thomas and Friedman will continue to report to Greenfield and Greenbaum in Los Angeles.
“Katie and Taylor each possess remarkable creative instincts and rigorous dedication to their projects, and to Searchlight as a whole. They have been essential members of the production team and we are proud that this elevation in their titles reflects their tremendous contributions,” said Greenbaum and Greenfield.
Also Read: Guillermo del Toro Signs Overall Production Deal at Fox Searchlight
“I’m proud to call myself one of the Fox Searchlight family as we aim to be bold and innovative; a passionate and creative home for directors, writers and producers, successfully supporting and bringing the best of British and European talent to audiences everywhere. It’s an incredible company, an incredible time, and I’m honored to be a part of it,” said Goodson-Thomas.
“I’m thrilled to continue my work at Fox Searchlight, with such an incredible team of mentors and colleagues who have supported my growth. It has been a privilege and a joy to be at a company that champions collaborations with brilliant auteurs and to discover new and exciting filmmakers, providing a global platform to bring their singular voices to the world,” said Friedman.
Goodson-Thomas heads up the London production team, focusing primarily on bringing British talent and or material to a world-wide audience, also collaborating closely with Rebecca Kearey, President of Fox Searchlight International. Goodson-Thomas joined Fox Searchlight in 2015, and has overseen eight film productions; including “Far From the Madding Crowd,” Martin McDonagh’s “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” the forthcoming James Kent’s 2019 release “The Aftermath” starring Keira Knightley, Alexander Skarsgård and Jason Clarke.
Also Read: 'Isle of Dogs' Stays Atop Indie Box Office in Second Weekend as 'Gemini' Opens
Goodson-Thomas started her career over twenty years ago, working with Graham Broadbent and Damian Jones at Dragon Pictures. Before joining Fox Searchlight, Goodson-Thomas was a Producer, and Head of Film for Chris Coen’s Unanimous Pictures. Previous to that she was a Senior Production Executive at Origin Pictures.
Friedman began as an assistant in production at Fox Searchlight in 2009, and worked her way up within the production department.
Read original story Fox Searchlight Promotes Executives Katie Goodson-Thomas, Taylor Friedman At TheWrap...
- 4/25/2018
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Fox Searchlight has promoted Katie Goodson-Thomas to Senior Vice President of Production, and Taylor Friedman to Vice President of Production effective immediately.
The promotions were announced today by Fox Searchlight Pictures Presidents of Production Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum.
Goodson-Thomas is based in London. Both Goodson-Thomas and Friedman will continue to report to Greenfield and Greenbaum in Los Angeles.
“Katie and Taylor each possess remarkable creative instincts and rigorous dedication to their projects, and to Searchlight as a whole. They have been essential members of the production team and we are proud that this elevation in their titles reflects their tremendous contributions,” said Greenbaum and Greenfield.
Said Goodson-Thomas, “I’m proud to call myself one of the Fox Searchlight family as we aim to be bold and innovative; a passionate and creative home for directors, writers and producers, successfully supporting and bringing the best of British and European talent to audiences everywhere.
The promotions were announced today by Fox Searchlight Pictures Presidents of Production Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum.
Goodson-Thomas is based in London. Both Goodson-Thomas and Friedman will continue to report to Greenfield and Greenbaum in Los Angeles.
“Katie and Taylor each possess remarkable creative instincts and rigorous dedication to their projects, and to Searchlight as a whole. They have been essential members of the production team and we are proud that this elevation in their titles reflects their tremendous contributions,” said Greenbaum and Greenfield.
Said Goodson-Thomas, “I’m proud to call myself one of the Fox Searchlight family as we aim to be bold and innovative; a passionate and creative home for directors, writers and producers, successfully supporting and bringing the best of British and European talent to audiences everywhere.
- 4/25/2018
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Veteran exec previously served as evp at Fox Searchlight International and Fox International Productions.
Rebecca Kearey has been promoted to president of Fox Searchlight International.
The executive oversees all international marketing and distribution duties for Fox Searchlight Pictures and Fox International Productions.
She will continue to work closely with Searchlight president of production Claudia Lewis and director of UK production Katie Goodson-Thomas, who are in production on Absolutely Fabuous: The Movie.
Kearey reports to Fox Searchlight Pictures co-presidents Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley, Twentieth Century Fox president of worldwide theatrical marketing and distribution Paul Hanneman and Fox International Productions president Tomas Jegeus.
Since 2005, Kearey has overseen international marketing and distribution of such Fox Searchlight hits as Black Swan, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and The Descendants.
Gilula and Utley said: “Rebecca’s achievements internationally on Searchlight’s films are remarkable. We are thrilled with her promotion and look forward to her continued creativity...
Rebecca Kearey has been promoted to president of Fox Searchlight International.
The executive oversees all international marketing and distribution duties for Fox Searchlight Pictures and Fox International Productions.
She will continue to work closely with Searchlight president of production Claudia Lewis and director of UK production Katie Goodson-Thomas, who are in production on Absolutely Fabuous: The Movie.
Kearey reports to Fox Searchlight Pictures co-presidents Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley, Twentieth Century Fox president of worldwide theatrical marketing and distribution Paul Hanneman and Fox International Productions president Tomas Jegeus.
Since 2005, Kearey has overseen international marketing and distribution of such Fox Searchlight hits as Black Swan, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and The Descendants.
Gilula and Utley said: “Rebecca’s achievements internationally on Searchlight’s films are remarkable. We are thrilled with her promotion and look forward to her continued creativity...
- 11/19/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The executive previously served as evp at Fox Searchlight International and Fox International Productions.
Rebecca Kearey oversees all international marketing and distribution duties for Fox Searchlight Pictures and Fox International Productions.
She will continue to work closely with Searchlight president of production Claudia Lewis and director of UK production Katie Goodson-Thomas, who are in production on Absolutely Fabuous: The Movie.
Kearey reports to Fox Searchlight Pictures co-presidents Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley, Twentieth Century Fox president of worldwide theatrical marketing and distribution Paul Hanneman and Fox International Productions president Tomas Jegeus.
Since 2005, Kearey has overseen international marketing and distribution of such Fox Searchlight hits as Black Swan, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and The Descendants.
Gilula and Utley said: “Rebecca’s achievements internationally on Searchlight’s films are remarkable. We are thrilled with her promotion and look forward to her continued creativity and superb work on behalf of Searchlight’s films around the world...
Rebecca Kearey oversees all international marketing and distribution duties for Fox Searchlight Pictures and Fox International Productions.
She will continue to work closely with Searchlight president of production Claudia Lewis and director of UK production Katie Goodson-Thomas, who are in production on Absolutely Fabuous: The Movie.
Kearey reports to Fox Searchlight Pictures co-presidents Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley, Twentieth Century Fox president of worldwide theatrical marketing and distribution Paul Hanneman and Fox International Productions president Tomas Jegeus.
Since 2005, Kearey has overseen international marketing and distribution of such Fox Searchlight hits as Black Swan, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and The Descendants.
Gilula and Utley said: “Rebecca’s achievements internationally on Searchlight’s films are remarkable. We are thrilled with her promotion and look forward to her continued creativity and superb work on behalf of Searchlight’s films around the world...
- 11/19/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The highly experienced Rebecca Kearey previously served as evp at Fox Searchlight International and Fox International Productions.
Kearey oversees all international marketing and distribution duties for Fox Searchlight Pictures and Fox International Productions.
She will continue to work closely with Searchlight president of production Claudia Lewis and director of UK production Katie Goodson-Thomas, who are in production on Absolutely Fabuous: The Movie.
Kearey reports to Fox Searchlight Pictures co-presidents Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley, Twentieth Century Fox president of worldwide theatrical marketing and distribution Paul Hanneman and Fox International Productions president Tomas Jegeus.
Since 2005, Kearey has overseen international marketing and distribution of such Fox Searchlight hits as Black Swan, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and The Descendants.
Gilula and Utley said: “Rebecca’s achievements internationally on Searchlight’s films are remarkable. We are thrilled with her promotion and look forward to her continued creativity and superb work on behalf of Searchlight’s films...
Kearey oversees all international marketing and distribution duties for Fox Searchlight Pictures and Fox International Productions.
She will continue to work closely with Searchlight president of production Claudia Lewis and director of UK production Katie Goodson-Thomas, who are in production on Absolutely Fabuous: The Movie.
Kearey reports to Fox Searchlight Pictures co-presidents Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley, Twentieth Century Fox president of worldwide theatrical marketing and distribution Paul Hanneman and Fox International Productions president Tomas Jegeus.
Since 2005, Kearey has overseen international marketing and distribution of such Fox Searchlight hits as Black Swan, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and The Descendants.
Gilula and Utley said: “Rebecca’s achievements internationally on Searchlight’s films are remarkable. We are thrilled with her promotion and look forward to her continued creativity and superb work on behalf of Searchlight’s films...
- 11/19/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Fox Searchlight Pictures has promoted Rebecca Kearey to president of Fox Searchlight International, boosting her from her previous role as Evp Fox Searchlight International and Fox International Productions. She is responsible for all overseas marketing and distribution functions at the two divisions. She reports to co-presidents Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley; Paul Hanneman, president of Worldwide Theatrical Marketing and Distribution at 20th Century Fox; and new Fip…...
- 11/19/2015
- Deadline
Fox Searchlight Pictures has promoted Rebecca Kearey to president of Fox Searchlight International, it was announced Thursday by the studio’s co-presidents Stephen Gilula and Nancy Utley. Kearey began her career at Fox Searchlight Pictures in 1995 as a marketing coordinator and most recently served as executive VP of Fox Searchlight International and Fox International Productions. Kearey is responsible for all international marketing and distribution functions for Fox Searchlight Pictures and Fox International Productions. She will also continue to work closely with Searchlight’s president of production Claudia Lewis and director of UK production Katie Goodson-Thomas on UK-based projects to maximize their global.
- 11/19/2015
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
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