Black Bear launches US theatrical distribution operation | News

Black Bear, the US and UK-based production, finance and distribution company, is expanding into US theatrical distribution. 

Benjamin Kramer, most recently co-head of CAA Media Finance, has been recruited to oversee the expansion as Black Bear’s president of US distribution. 

The US operation will handle up to 12 theatrical releases a year, focusing on a curated slate of filmmaker-driven titles and wide-release action and genre films. Additional executives are set to be hired in the coming months. 

The company described the expansion as a “natural evolution” from its increased production output and theatrical businesses in Canada and the UK. 

Black Bear currently has a London-based operation focusing on international sales, direct theatrical distribution in the UK and Ireland, and international productions and acquisitions. In Canada, it owns independent theatrical distributor Elevation Pictures. Recent releases in the territories have included Anora, Conclave, The Brutalist and Longlegs. 

The company’s production and financing business has been involved in upcoming projects including Train Dreams for Netflix and Guy Ritchie’s In The Grey, to be distributed by Lionsgate. 

At CAA, Kramer worked on Black Bear films including Sing Sing, Nyad, Dumb Money and Mudbound. He also handled financing and/or sales for The Brutalist, A Real Pain and A Different Man. 

Black Bear CEO Teddy Schwarzman commented: “Today marks a major step for Black Bear, as we solidify our studio’s capabilities from development through release. Building on the successful distribution businesses we’ve created in Canada and the UK, our US theatrical business will now let Black Bear connect directly with audiences across the country, who remain hungry for quality and commercial event cinema. I am thrilled for Ben to spearhead this growth, bringing with him vast relationships, an expertise of the domestic marketplace, deal-making savvy and a keen understanding for what works for US audiences. He is actively assembling a world-class team of distribution professionals, and on behalf of myself and Black Bear’s Michael Heimler and John Friedberg, we are thrilled to support him in building out a studio for today and into the future.” 

Kramer said: “It’s incredibly exciting to join Black Bear at this moment of great opportunity in our business. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Teddy, John, Michael, and the team on many successful films. I’ve spent my career evaluating what makes films resonate creatively and commercially and look forward to now connecting the work of great filmmakers directly with audiences. While it is bittersweet to be departing all my dear friends and clients at CAA, I am thrilled to work with the global Black Bear team and to get cooking on making Black Bear’s US distribution a force to be reckoned with.”