A seismic shift here in the independent film world in the run-up to Oscar Sunday: Longtime Searchlight Pictures chairmen Nancy Utley (65) and Steve Gilula (70) have announced their retirement after a two-year career with the classic label Disney from Bought Fox.
Searchlight veterans Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum, the studio’s longtime production heads, have both been promoted to president, Searchlight, and will run the company jointly. Greenbaum and Greenfield will report to Alan Bergman, the chairman of Disney Studios content, and the creative officer of Disney Studios, Alan Horn.
The news comes just before Oscar Sunday when Searchlight’s Nomadland Frances McDormand is expected to win Best Picture and Best Director for Chloe Zhao. Should Zhao win Best Director, she’s the second woman to do so during the Oscars and the first person of color. To date, Nomadland has won the PGA, DGA, Golden Globes for Best Picture Drama and Director and counts six Oscar nominations. Searchlight did not report gross sources on the film during its filming in the pandemic; the photo is also available on Hulu.
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During Utley and Gilula’s tenure, Searchlight won Oscar’s best picture in four of the last eight ceremonies: Slumdog Millionaire ($ 378 million WW), 12 years a slave ($ 188 million WW), Birdman ($ 103 million), and The form of water ($ 195 million). The duo has served jointly as president of Searchlight since 2009; their first collaboration Boys do not cry was released in 1999. The two were previously chief operating officers, Utley overseeing marketing and leading distribution of Gilula, before being named president in 2009. It filled the vacancy left by former searchlight boss Peter Rice. In 2018, Gilula and Utley are each chair. Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum were made president of production at Searchlight Pictures.
The departure of Utley and Gilula also comes at a time when executive chairman Bob Iger is retiring, along with 33-year-old Disney human resources veterinarian Jayne Parker.
“Thanks to the stewardship and perfect creative instincts of Steve Gilula and Nancy Utley, Searchlight has established itself as one of the best film studios in history, and we commend and thank them for their incredible leadership, especially during the integration of Searchlight at Disney,” said Bergman and Horn. ‘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 for many years and we are confident that they will set a course that puts Searchlight at the forefront of the industry. keep. ”
“Our time at Searchlight was the kind of career highlight one can only dream of,” Utley and Gilula said. “For the past 21 years we have had the privilege of building and leading an incredible team, and working with brilliant artists, taking creative risks, championing stories we are passionate about, and making iconic films along the way will be the test of time endures. We are so proud of how this studio has grown and developed over the years, and we are ready to pass on the torch to continue the Searchlight legacy. ”
“First of all, we want to thank Nancy and Steve for their years of leadership in the most dynamic specialty film business in the world,” Greenbaum and Greenfield said. ‘While their accomplishments speak for themselves, Steve and Nancy’s passion, intelligence and vision are unmatched. The extremely loyal team they have built up reflects the honesty, transparency and integrity with which they have led and which we strive to move forward. With the foundation they laid and the continued support of Alan Bergman, Alan Horn and everyone at Disney, Searchlight is the first exciting chapter. ‘
Also today, it was announced that Rebecca Kearey will be Head of Business Operations and International Marketing for Searchlight. Creative directors Katie Goodson-Thomas and DanTram Nguyen will continue their film development and production roles. All three will report to Greenbaum and Greenfield along with marketing executives Michelle Hooper and Larry Baldauf, the acquisitions of Chan Phung, and Searchlight Television lead Gina Kwon and Jennifer Gonsky. The extensive Searchlight leadership team also includes the head of affairs, Paul S. Hoffman, head of physical production Elizabeth Sayre, music director Danielle Diego, finance leader Marnie Duda, casting leader Yesi Ramirez, and media and strategy leader Rob Wilkinson. Frank Rodriguez will continue to lead the distribution of Searchlight Pictures as part of DMED’s Platform Distribution division.
Since its launch in 1994 by Tom Rothman (Sony’s current Motion Pictures Entertainment Chairman), Searchlight’s films have grossed more than $ 5 billion WW, with 28 Golden Globe Awards, 49 BAFTA Awards and 40 Oscars, including four top film winners. Upcoming features include Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s award-winningSummer Of Soul (… Or, when the revolution could not be broadcast), David Bruckner’sThe night house, Michael Showalter’sThe Eyes of Tammy Faye, Scott Cooper’sAntlers, Guillermo del Toro’sNightmare Alley, Wes Anderson’sThe French shipment, and Taika Waititi’sWin next goal.