Of Film Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

Fifth Season has upped Christopher Slager to Head of Film as the studio expands its in-house production and development of feature films.

EXCLUSIVE: After making controversial remarks at a recent pro-Palestinian rally in New York City, Susan Sarandon has been dropped by UTA as a client, a spokesman from the agency confirmed.

Billy Friedkin remains a uniquely unforgettable figure to his friends and colleagues — an eternal contradiction, both cantankerous yet kindly, argumentative yet thoughtful. He was a brilliant creator of popular entertainment but, to his close friends, also was brooding and cerebral.

EXCLUSIVE: Nick Meyer has just informed his staff that he’s exiting as eOne’s President of Film when his contract ends next month.

EXCLUSIVE: Gloria Sanchez Productions has promoted Alex Brown to Head of Film and hired Alix Taylor as Head of Television.

EXCLUSIVE: Robert Walak and Alisa Tager will be leaving their posts as Presidents of Film & Television at AC Studios, the independent film and TV production studio that sits inside Anonymous Content, when their contracts are up in a couple of months.

EXCLUSIVE: Jon Kanak has been promoted to Head of Film & Television Literary at the full-service music and talent management firm, Activist Artists Management.

EXCLUSIVE: Entertainment executive and producer Leigh Kittay has joined director, writer and producer Will Gluck’s production company, Olive Bridge Entertainment as their Head of Film.

Faith Penhale, decorated TV drama producer and CEO of Gentleman Jack indie Lookout Point, is leaving the BBC Studios-backed outfit to head up Pathe Productions.

Angela Lansbury, one of the most beloved and acclaimed actors of stage, film and television, died at her Los Angeles home today in her sleep, just five days short of her 97th birthday.

International sales and production veteran Cécile Gaget has been appointed as Head of Film at leading European indie studio Wild Bunch, as it expands under the leadership of CEO Ron Meyer and co-CEO Sophie Jordan.

EXCLUSIVE: To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before and The Summer I Turned Pretty author Jenny Han has brought on Carpool Entertainment exec Amanda Tudesco as Head of Film & TV at her Jenny Kissed Me production company. Jenny Kissed Me is based at Amazon Studios where Han recently signed an overall television and film deal. Tudesco joins the company’s existing coordinator, Victoria Storm.

EXCLUSIVE: Emmy Award-winner Dan Levy has launched a new production company, Not A Real Production Company.

Liz Watts, the established Australian producer whose credits include Animal Kingdom, The True History of The Kelly Gang, and the Cate Blanchett series Stateless, is joining See-Saw Films.

Michael Pruss has been promoted to Co-President of the film division at Scott Free Productions. Pruss will continue to report to Scott Free President, Kevin Walsh as he helps expand the company’s slate of feature films with a focus on developing new filmmakers and talent from across the globe and bringing them into the Scott Free fold.

Oscar-nominated Minari producer Christina Oh has been hired by Megan Ellison’s Annapurna as EVP, Co-Head of Film.

EXCLUSIVE: Tommy Oliver’s Confluential Films has expanded its executive team, tapping Charlotte Koh as its first President and Prince Baggett as Head of Film.

The Edinburgh TV Festival kicked off this morning with an anticipated spotlight session on Netflix UK, featuring Anne Mensah, Vice President for Original Series, and Fiona Lamptey, Director of UK Features.

EXCLUSIVE:  Annapurna has hired Valparaiso Pictures’ Adam Paulsen as EVP, Head of Film and Jack Parker as Creative Executive, reporting to CCO Sue Naegle and COO Chris Corabi.

EXCLUSIVE: Former Focus Features President Robert Walak and veteran producer Alisa Tager have joined the executive team at Anonymous Content as Presidents of AC Studios. In their new roles, the duo will oversee development and production on projects across film, television, documentaries, doc series and podcasts.

Veteran agent Jay Schachter has been promoted to the Head of the Film & Television Departments at Stewart Talent New York.

Amanda N'Duka pmc-editorial-managerChernin Entertainment has brought on Sharla Sumpter Bridgett in the role of Senior Vice President of Film and Television, where she’ll produce projects for the company’s slate.Sumpter Bridgett, who has over 15 years of experience in development and production, was previously Tim Story’s producing partner running The Story Company where projects in development include Lionsgate and Hasbro’s live-action feature Monopoly starring Kevin Hart, Universal Pictures’

Mike Fleming Jr Co-Editor-in-Chief, FilmLeigh Kittay has joined Black Bear as Head of Film. She most recently served that role for Noah Hawley’s 26 Keys, and was exec producer of Lucy in the Sky.

By Mike Fleming Jr

By Anthony D'Alessandro