FEATURE
at Magnolia Pictures in New York City. I got to work with and learn from Tom Quinn, Eamonn Bowles and Jason Janego, all extremely knowledgeable and talented peo- ple who were always very generous with their time and who to this day inspire me. “I have since gone on to work for some of
the most exciting and creative independent fi lm distributors in the UK. They all have at least one thing in common, a drive and ambition to adapt to the rapidly changing climate in the fi lm industry and fi nd a way to make the numbers work again. This is also what drives me — I want to keep building bridges between fi lm-makers, sales agents, distributors and consumers and hopefully contribute to a blossoming film industry where there is room and appetite for an eclectic range of fi lms from companies both small and large.”
Marcin Was Head of acquisition Best Film Co, and co-founder M2 Films (Pol)
■ Head of programming at Camerimage
International Film Festival from 1999-2000. ■ In 2001 earned a diploma in sociology from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun,
Poland. ■ Became head of international operations at
Best Film Co in 2001. ■ Promoted to head of acquisition and
distribution in 2006. ■ Co-founder and CEO of M2 Films. “Like most people in the film business I started life as a fi lm buff whilst remaining completely oblivious to the very nature of the industry behind it. I was lucky that from the very beginning of my career people I’ve worked with, on both the sales and distribu- tion side, have had a collaborative approach to business, always sharing with me their wealth of knowledge and experience. “Throughout a decade, little has changed
regarding the absolute importance of forg- ing and nurturing key relationships in the industry. More than ever, with fi lm distribu- tion in a constant state of flux, its models turning upside down, I aspire to always change with it, remaining courageous in my choices, growing ever smarter on budgets whilst becoming wiser on how to market more effectively.”
Lucas Webb Director, production and acquisitions Ingenious/Fox Searchlight (UK)
■ Started out as production assistant at
Disney/Buena Vista International Films. ■ Went on to be director, production and
acquisitions at Miramax Films. ■ Became VP, production and acquisitions at
The Weinstein Co. ■ Moved to Ingenious/Fox in 2011, responsible for identifying British features for production or distribution under the Fox Searchlight banner. “My way into the business was through the mail room at The Endeavor Agency (now WME) in Los Angeles. “Since leaving LA, I’ve had a foot in the British and European independent world as
■ 66 Screen International at Cannes May 18, 2012 35 B
our international market experiences and cultural link to China, we hope we can be the bridge, bringing a variety of quality fi lms to our audience and present Chinese culture to the world.”
Negeen Yazdi Senior vice-president, acquisitions and co-productions The Weinstein Company (UK)
■ Graduated from Cambridge University with a BA hons in modern languages. Attended
35 B
NYU for a masters in cinema studies. ■ Spent five years at Duncan Heath’s Independent Talent in the UK in the literary department. Repped film and TV writers and directors including Yann Demange, Nathan
well as the global studio system. I work across development, production and acquisi- tions. This has afforded me a broad overview of the fi lm business from different business models, budget ranges, audience segments, talent levels, personal relationships and types of leadership. “Mentors have included Daniel Battsek
(Disney and Miramax), Harvey Weinstein (TWC), and now Fox Searchlight under co- presidents Steve Gilula and Nancy Utley, and head of production Claudia Lewis. “Despite the complex and rapidly chang-
ing face of the business, of which we must remain aware, my personal ambition is to fi nd the perfect marriage of pedigree mate- rial made for the right price — that magical balance of critical and commercial film- making. Quality is king and audiences, changing as they may be, remind us of this on a daily basis.”
Jimmy Yang General manager Serenity Entertainment International (Tai)
■ Earned a BA in drama from National Taiwan University of Arts.
■ Industry experiences include working in Buena Vista International Taiwan, Zeus International Productions and Spring International, with extensive and successful marketing experiences of a variety of films,
from blockbusters to quality arthouse movies. ■ Founded Serenity Entertainment International in 2005. Successful releases include Academy award-winner, Slumdog Millionaire, Chinese martial-arts blockbuster Ip Man 2, Hollywood blockbuster T
ransporter 3, and romantic drama One Day. Most recent
release is Hong Kong movie A Simple Life. ■ Set up an office in Beijing in 2007 and the first China co-production is Love In Disguise, the directorial debut of musician Leehom Wang. The second co-production Double T
rouble is scheduled for release in Greater
China this summer. ■ In 2012, ventured into a new field as a
theatrical exhibitor by acquiring the cineplex CINEMA 7 in Taipei. “I entered this industry because I want to share what I love with the audience. Profi ts are important, yet what’s even more impor- tant is to bring fi lms that give people hope, strength and passion. Now everyone sees the seemingly booming China market — with
Parker, James Marsh and Mark Tonderai. ■ Spent three years at Universal Pictures International as director of acquisitions in London. Acquisitions included A Dangerous Method, T T
rollhunter, Step Up 3D and Tinker ailor Soldier Spy.
“I was all set to hop on the milk round and take a graduate position at L’Oréal market- ing until a surprise scholarship from NYU diverted my path from Hammersmith to the West Village where I discovered that, by some miracle, I could actually find a job doing what I love. “Interning with David Linde at Good
Machine International kickstarted my career, while my other two mentors are the stalwarts of Oxford House, Duncan Heath and David Kosse, who both taught me the value of rela- tionships and of daring to think a little differ- ently. And of course Harvey Weinstein is proving to be quite a mentor! “My ambitions are to work on great mate-
rial with talented fi lm-makers, but it’s more than that: memories of growing up watch- ing The Godfather, The Apartment, Cinema Paradiso and Spaghetti westerns on late- night TV with my dad drive me to do my lit- tle bit in creating some good old-fashioned movie magic.” ■
s
32 B
Negeen Yazdi
Jimmy Yang
Lucas Webb
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