New team members include VP publicity Eugene O’Connor.
Black Bear UK, the distribution arm of US-based independent studio Black Bear, has appointed three staff to further establish its core distribution team.
Eugene O’Connor joins as VP publicity; Nick Smith as VP digital; and Bosco Tench as marketing director.
O’Connor, Smith and Tench join existing executives Vicky Hine, SVP marketing; Scott Sargeant, VP distribution; and Frank Ayaoge, VP technical. The team is led by president John Friedberg, who joined Black Bear as a partner in May last year from STX Entertainment to oversee the international expansion, and managing director Llewellyn Radley.
Black Bear UK, the distribution arm of US-based independent studio Black Bear, has appointed three staff to further establish its core distribution team.
Eugene O’Connor joins as VP publicity; Nick Smith as VP digital; and Bosco Tench as marketing director.
O’Connor, Smith and Tench join existing executives Vicky Hine, SVP marketing; Scott Sargeant, VP distribution; and Frank Ayaoge, VP technical. The team is led by president John Friedberg, who joined Black Bear as a partner in May last year from STX Entertainment to oversee the international expansion, and managing director Llewellyn Radley.
- 6/26/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Black Bear UK, the newly established theatrical distribution arm of indie studio Black Bear, has made a series of hires, solidifying its core distribution team who will work out of the UK.
Led by President John Friedberg and Managing Director Llewellyn Radley, the Black Bear UK hires include Eugene O’Connor, who joins as VP of Publicity; Nick Smith, who takes on the role of VP Digital; and Bosco Tench, who steps into the role of Marketing Director.
The company also confirmed today that Craig Gillespie’s latest pic Dumb Money, starring Paul Dano, Sebastian Stan, Shailene Woodley, Pete Davidson, and Seth Rogen, will be its first release. The pic will open wide on September 22.
Today’s trio of hires join existing senior UK distribution executives, including Vicky Hine, SVP Marketing, Scott Sargeant, VP Distribution, and Frank Ayaoge, VP Technical.
O’Connor joins from Premier PR, where he led the film...
Led by President John Friedberg and Managing Director Llewellyn Radley, the Black Bear UK hires include Eugene O’Connor, who joins as VP of Publicity; Nick Smith, who takes on the role of VP Digital; and Bosco Tench, who steps into the role of Marketing Director.
The company also confirmed today that Craig Gillespie’s latest pic Dumb Money, starring Paul Dano, Sebastian Stan, Shailene Woodley, Pete Davidson, and Seth Rogen, will be its first release. The pic will open wide on September 22.
Today’s trio of hires join existing senior UK distribution executives, including Vicky Hine, SVP Marketing, Scott Sargeant, VP Distribution, and Frank Ayaoge, VP Technical.
O’Connor joins from Premier PR, where he led the film...
- 6/26/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Keshet International (Ki) has racked up several deals for scripted formats and finished tape in the Central and Eastern Europe region.
Ki has sold the format rights for Duo Productions’ 8 x 60’ relationship thriller “Too Much Love” (“L’homme qui aimait trop”) to Slovakian free-to-air broadcaster TV Joj. Originally created by Canadian writing duo Michel d’Astous and Anne Boyer (“Taboo”) for Bell Media’s Quebecois streamer Noovo, the Slovakian adaptation will be produced by Piknik Pictures (“Traffic Light”). Currently in pre-production, with casting in progress, shooting will commence later this year ahead of a 2024 premiere on TV Joj.
Kelly Wright, Ki’s MD of distribution, described the show as “something of a conversation starter because of the anti-hero’s controversial lifestyle choices,” with Marcel Grega, CEO of TV Joj adding that the show “is the perfect example of a modern drama that opens subjects that are considered taboo.”
Ki’s sales manager...
Ki has sold the format rights for Duo Productions’ 8 x 60’ relationship thriller “Too Much Love” (“L’homme qui aimait trop”) to Slovakian free-to-air broadcaster TV Joj. Originally created by Canadian writing duo Michel d’Astous and Anne Boyer (“Taboo”) for Bell Media’s Quebecois streamer Noovo, the Slovakian adaptation will be produced by Piknik Pictures (“Traffic Light”). Currently in pre-production, with casting in progress, shooting will commence later this year ahead of a 2024 premiere on TV Joj.
Kelly Wright, Ki’s MD of distribution, described the show as “something of a conversation starter because of the anti-hero’s controversial lifestyle choices,” with Marcel Grega, CEO of TV Joj adding that the show “is the perfect example of a modern drama that opens subjects that are considered taboo.”
Ki’s sales manager...
- 6/26/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
‘Women Talking’, ‘Marcel The Shell With Shoes On’ start in cinemas.
Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania is the headline title at this weekend’s UK-Ireland box office, opening in 678 cinemas through Disney and looking to become the first of the Ant-Man trilogy to cross the £20m mark in the territory.
Peyton Reed returns as director having made the first two films. This instalment sees Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang and Evangeline Lilly’s Hope Van Dyne explore the Quantum Realm; new cast members include Kathryn Newton, and Jonathan Majors as the main antagonist Kang the Conqueror.
Ant-Man was the fifth...
Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania is the headline title at this weekend’s UK-Ireland box office, opening in 678 cinemas through Disney and looking to become the first of the Ant-Man trilogy to cross the £20m mark in the territory.
Peyton Reed returns as director having made the first two films. This instalment sees Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang and Evangeline Lilly’s Hope Van Dyne explore the Quantum Realm; new cast members include Kathryn Newton, and Jonathan Majors as the main antagonist Kang the Conqueror.
Ant-Man was the fifth...
- 2/17/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Former Protagonist Pictures executive Luane Gauer has joined Black Bear International as SVP of international production and acquisitions.
In her new role, Gauer will oversee production and lead creative on upcoming Black Bear International productions. Titles in their pipeline include Ed Berger’s “Conclave” and “Knox Goes Away,” directed by and starring Michael Keaton. She will also source and package U.K. and European production and acquisitions opportunities to feed the company’s international sales business and U.K. distribution group.
Gauer will report to John Friedberg, president of Black Bear International, and Llewellyn Radley, the company’s EVP International and U.K. managing director.
Gauer previously served as head of acquisitions at London’s Protagonist Pictures where she was responsible for building the company’s sales slate, securing titles such as “The Outrun” with Saoirse Ronan, and Temple Hill’s “Clown in a Cornfield,” which launched at AFM in...
In her new role, Gauer will oversee production and lead creative on upcoming Black Bear International productions. Titles in their pipeline include Ed Berger’s “Conclave” and “Knox Goes Away,” directed by and starring Michael Keaton. She will also source and package U.K. and European production and acquisitions opportunities to feed the company’s international sales business and U.K. distribution group.
Gauer will report to John Friedberg, president of Black Bear International, and Llewellyn Radley, the company’s EVP International and U.K. managing director.
Gauer previously served as head of acquisitions at London’s Protagonist Pictures where she was responsible for building the company’s sales slate, securing titles such as “The Outrun” with Saoirse Ronan, and Temple Hill’s “Clown in a Cornfield,” which launched at AFM in...
- 2/7/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Black Bear International has further bolstered its team with the hire of Luane Gauer as SVP, International Production & Acquisitions.
The former Protagonist Pictures exec will report to Black Bear International President John Friedberg and Llewellyn Radley, EVP International & UK Managing Director.
In the new role, Gauer will oversee production and lead creative on upcoming Black Bear International productions, as well as source and package UK and European production and acquisitions opportunities to feed the international sales business and UK distribution group.
Gauer previously served as Head of Acquisitions at Protagonist Pictures where she was responsible for building the company’s sales slate, securing titles including The Outrun with Saoirse Ronan, and Temple Hill’s Clown in a Cornfield, which launched at AFM in 2022.
Prior to that, she held senior roles at Focus Features and Universal Pictures International, where she worked on films including Promising Young Woman, The Lighthouse and Pain & Glory among others.
The former Protagonist Pictures exec will report to Black Bear International President John Friedberg and Llewellyn Radley, EVP International & UK Managing Director.
In the new role, Gauer will oversee production and lead creative on upcoming Black Bear International productions, as well as source and package UK and European production and acquisitions opportunities to feed the international sales business and UK distribution group.
Gauer previously served as Head of Acquisitions at Protagonist Pictures where she was responsible for building the company’s sales slate, securing titles including The Outrun with Saoirse Ronan, and Temple Hill’s Clown in a Cornfield, which launched at AFM in 2022.
Prior to that, she held senior roles at Focus Features and Universal Pictures International, where she worked on films including Promising Young Woman, The Lighthouse and Pain & Glory among others.
- 2/7/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Luane Gauer will be SVP, international production & acquisitions.
Black Bear International (Bbi) has hired former Protagonist Pictures executive Luane Gauer in a newly-created role of SVP, international production and acquisitions, as the company prepares to launch ‘multiple projects’ for next week’s European Film Market in Berlin (February 16-22).
Gauer will oversee production and lead creative on upcoming Bbi productions, as well as source and package UK and European production and acquisitions opportunities for the international sales and UK distribution business.
She will report to Bbi president John Friedberg and Llewellyn Radley, EVP international & UK managing director.
Gauer was previously...
Black Bear International (Bbi) has hired former Protagonist Pictures executive Luane Gauer in a newly-created role of SVP, international production and acquisitions, as the company prepares to launch ‘multiple projects’ for next week’s European Film Market in Berlin (February 16-22).
Gauer will oversee production and lead creative on upcoming Bbi productions, as well as source and package UK and European production and acquisitions opportunities for the international sales and UK distribution business.
She will report to Bbi president John Friedberg and Llewellyn Radley, EVP international & UK managing director.
Gauer was previously...
- 2/7/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Top U.K. STX International executives Llewellyn Radley, Laura Austin Little, Jill Silfen and Mike Shanks have reunited with John Friedberg at new company Black Bear International, as it announces a U.K. distribution plan.
The announcement comes just days after news broke that STX was closing the London office it opened in 2017, in a development that was expected to impact at least a dozen members of staff.
Friedberg exited as STX’s President of International after seven years in the job last May. He then went on to announced the creation of Black Bear International with Teddy Schwarzman during Cannes.
The arrival of his former STX colleagues has enabled Friedberg to set his international leadership team.
Radley joins as EVP, International and UK MD and will lead the launch of Black Bear’s direct distribution business in the UK, reporting to Friedberg.
The company will release 12-15 films per year,...
The announcement comes just days after news broke that STX was closing the London office it opened in 2017, in a development that was expected to impact at least a dozen members of staff.
Friedberg exited as STX’s President of International after seven years in the job last May. He then went on to announced the creation of Black Bear International with Teddy Schwarzman during Cannes.
The arrival of his former STX colleagues has enabled Friedberg to set his international leadership team.
Radley joins as EVP, International and UK MD and will lead the launch of Black Bear’s direct distribution business in the UK, reporting to Friedberg.
The company will release 12-15 films per year,...
- 8/4/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow and Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Llewellyn Radley, Laura Austin Little, Jill Silfen and Mike Shanks join John Friedberg.
Black Bear is moving into direct UK distribution and has unveiled the Black Bear International senior leadership team months after John Friedberg left STX to set up the company with Teddy Schwarzman.
Llewellyn Radley, Laura Austin Little, Jill Silfen and Mike Shanks all join Friedberg at the new venture and worked together at STX International. Last week Screen was first to report that STX was understood to be winding down its UK office in London, which houses the international sales and the distribution teams.
Radley joins as EVP,...
Black Bear is moving into direct UK distribution and has unveiled the Black Bear International senior leadership team months after John Friedberg left STX to set up the company with Teddy Schwarzman.
Llewellyn Radley, Laura Austin Little, Jill Silfen and Mike Shanks all join Friedberg at the new venture and worked together at STX International. Last week Screen was first to report that STX was understood to be winding down its UK office in London, which houses the international sales and the distribution teams.
Radley joins as EVP,...
- 8/4/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Speakers at the Screen Finance Forum discussed the polarisation of the market.
Four industry leading lights highlighted the polarisation of the UK film business at Screen International’s UK Film Finance Forum in London today (December 5) – but identified the opportunites that are out there.
Danny Perkins, founder and CEO of Elysian Film Group, said: “There is a dichotomy of a production boom, all these things happening in the UK, but in terms of the independent sector there are real challenges and struggle.”
“But there are still massive opportunities and big audiences,” added the former Studiocanal UK CEO. “Everyone has a...
Four industry leading lights highlighted the polarisation of the UK film business at Screen International’s UK Film Finance Forum in London today (December 5) – but identified the opportunites that are out there.
Danny Perkins, founder and CEO of Elysian Film Group, said: “There is a dichotomy of a production boom, all these things happening in the UK, but in terms of the independent sector there are real challenges and struggle.”
“But there are still massive opportunities and big audiences,” added the former Studiocanal UK CEO. “Everyone has a...
- 12/5/2019
- by 1100453¦Michael Rosser¦9¦
- ScreenDaily
Speakers at the Screen Finance Forum discussed the polarisation of the market.
Four industry experts highlighted the polarisation of the UK film business at the Screen Finance Forum in London today (Dec 5) – but identified prospects for the future.
Danny Perkins, founder and CEO of Elysian Film Group, told an audience of producers and executives at the event hosted at the Everyman Broadgate: “There is a dichotomy of a production boom, all these things happening in the UK, but in terms of the independent sector there are real challenges and struggle.”
“But there are still massive opportunities and big audiences,” added the former Studiocanal UK CEO.
Four industry experts highlighted the polarisation of the UK film business at the Screen Finance Forum in London today (Dec 5) – but identified prospects for the future.
Danny Perkins, founder and CEO of Elysian Film Group, told an audience of producers and executives at the event hosted at the Everyman Broadgate: “There is a dichotomy of a production boom, all these things happening in the UK, but in terms of the independent sector there are real challenges and struggle.”
“But there are still massive opportunities and big audiences,” added the former Studiocanal UK CEO.
- 12/5/2019
- by 1100453¦Michael Rosser¦9¦
- ScreenDaily
Screen’s UK Film Finance Forum takes place on December 5 at Everyman Broadgate.
Llewellyn Radley, managing director, UK, and executive vice president, international Stx Entertainment, Mary Burke, BFI senior production and development executive, and Danny Perkins, former CEO of Studiocanal UK and now co-founder of Elysian Film Group, have joined the Screen International’s UK Film Finance Forum taking place in London on December 5.
Radley and Perkins will join Andy Mayson, co-ceo of Altitude and Vanessa Saal, managing director, sales and distribution at Protagonist Pictures, to talk about how UK films play in the local and international market.
Burke joins Hugo Heppell,...
Llewellyn Radley, managing director, UK, and executive vice president, international Stx Entertainment, Mary Burke, BFI senior production and development executive, and Danny Perkins, former CEO of Studiocanal UK and now co-founder of Elysian Film Group, have joined the Screen International’s UK Film Finance Forum taking place in London on December 5.
Radley and Perkins will join Andy Mayson, co-ceo of Altitude and Vanessa Saal, managing director, sales and distribution at Protagonist Pictures, to talk about how UK films play in the local and international market.
Burke joins Hugo Heppell,...
- 12/2/2019
- ScreenDaily
STXinternational today made its second-ever appearance on stage at CineEurope, repped by John Friedberg and Llewellyn Radley who were respectively promoted to President of International and Managing Director, UK & Evp International earlier this year. The pair presented a roster of upcoming titles that includes Chadwick Boseman-starrer 21 Bridges, horror thriller Countdown, the Jennifer Lopez-fronted Hustlers and Dave Bautista action comedy My Spy.
The latter got the most extensive look-in with a video introduction from Bautista who winked that the movie has it all, including an “immensely sexy, super-buff and undeniably charismatic lead.” In April, Bautista had told CinemaCon attendees this was the first time he was “fully hands on as a producer.” The Peter Segal-helmed pic, which also stars Kristen Schaal and Big Little Lies‘ Chloe Coleman, follows a hardened CIA operative who has been sent to surveil the family of a precocious 9-year-old girl. Several scenes were...
The latter got the most extensive look-in with a video introduction from Bautista who winked that the movie has it all, including an “immensely sexy, super-buff and undeniably charismatic lead.” In April, Bautista had told CinemaCon attendees this was the first time he was “fully hands on as a producer.” The Peter Segal-helmed pic, which also stars Kristen Schaal and Big Little Lies‘ Chloe Coleman, follows a hardened CIA operative who has been sent to surveil the family of a precocious 9-year-old girl. Several scenes were...
- 6/18/2019
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Laura Austin-Little joins from Lakeshore Entertainment.
Stx Entertainment is set to name Laura Austin-Little as its Evp of International Sales.
Austin-Little is joining from Los Angeles-based outfit Lakeshore Entertainment and will be relocating to Stx’s London office. She will start before Cannes.
The hire follows the departure of former Stx international president David Kosse to Netflix earlier this year, a move which prompted Stx to immediately promote president of international sales John Friedberg to replace Kosse, leaving a role in the sales team that Austin-Little will now fill.
Austin-Little joined Lakeshore as head of international sales and acquisitions in...
Stx Entertainment is set to name Laura Austin-Little as its Evp of International Sales.
Austin-Little is joining from Los Angeles-based outfit Lakeshore Entertainment and will be relocating to Stx’s London office. She will start before Cannes.
The hire follows the departure of former Stx international president David Kosse to Netflix earlier this year, a move which prompted Stx to immediately promote president of international sales John Friedberg to replace Kosse, leaving a role in the sales team that Austin-Little will now fill.
Austin-Little joined Lakeshore as head of international sales and acquisitions in...
- 4/16/2019
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Andy Leyshon is leaving Stx Entertainment and Llewellyn Radley and Rhiannon Harries have been handed new roles in a rejig announced Wednesday. Radley and Harries will report to John Friedberg, who has just taken the helm at international following David Kosse’s departure for Netflix.
Leyshon will exit as managing director, U.K., at the end of the month. Radley is upped to MD for the U.K. and will also be Evp, international. Harries is elevated to COO, international.
Radley, who joined Stx from eOne in 2017, will oversee direct distribution operations in the U.K. and Ireland and will continue to be involved in the broader international business, including acquisitions. Harries will manage international business strategy, including all international finance and operations, to ensure that Stx maximizes the value of its international film slate. She joined Stx last year from AMC Networks.
“Llewellyn and Rhiannon are responsible for so...
Leyshon will exit as managing director, U.K., at the end of the month. Radley is upped to MD for the U.K. and will also be Evp, international. Harries is elevated to COO, international.
Radley, who joined Stx from eOne in 2017, will oversee direct distribution operations in the U.K. and Ireland and will continue to be involved in the broader international business, including acquisitions. Harries will manage international business strategy, including all international finance and operations, to ensure that Stx maximizes the value of its international film slate. She joined Stx last year from AMC Networks.
“Llewellyn and Rhiannon are responsible for so...
- 3/27/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
‘Their expertise and energy will be a tremendous advantage for us as we continue to grow our film slate’
Stx Entertainment has promoted Llewellyn Radley to managing director, UK and executive vice-president, international, and Rhiannon Harries to COO, international.
Andy Leyshon is stepping down as Stx UK managing director at the end of the month after more than 20 years in the industry. He previously managed UK distribution at Universal Pictures.
In his newly created position, Radley will oversee all Stx’s direct distribution operations in the UK and Ireland and continue to be involved in the broader international business, including content evaluation and acquisitions.
Stx Entertainment has promoted Llewellyn Radley to managing director, UK and executive vice-president, international, and Rhiannon Harries to COO, international.
Andy Leyshon is stepping down as Stx UK managing director at the end of the month after more than 20 years in the industry. He previously managed UK distribution at Universal Pictures.
In his newly created position, Radley will oversee all Stx’s direct distribution operations in the UK and Ireland and continue to be involved in the broader international business, including content evaluation and acquisitions.
- 3/27/2019
- ScreenDaily
Stx Entertainment said Wednesday that UK managing director Andy Leyshon is exiting the company, part of a reshuffle that will see Llewellyn Radley promoted to Managing Director, UK & Evp International. The company also upped Rhiannon Harries from finance director to Chief Operating Officer, International. They are the first moves from John Freidberg, Stx’s former head of sales who was tapped as president of International earlier this month following David Kosse’s departure to join Netflix.
Leyshon will depart at the end of the month, Stx said. The veteran was hired by Kosse in 2016 in a reteam from their days together at Universal Pictures.
“Andy has been an invaluable asset to the international group and has played a vital role in establishing the Stx UK team and business,” Friedberg said Wednesday after the moves were announced internally at the company. “We deeply appreciate his contribution and wish him much success in his future endeavors.
Leyshon will depart at the end of the month, Stx said. The veteran was hired by Kosse in 2016 in a reteam from their days together at Universal Pictures.
“Andy has been an invaluable asset to the international group and has played a vital role in establishing the Stx UK team and business,” Friedberg said Wednesday after the moves were announced internally at the company. “We deeply appreciate his contribution and wish him much success in his future endeavors.
- 3/27/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
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