In a key hire heading into the fall festival season, Black Bear has brought in former Lionsgate distribution head David Spitz to lead its nascent US theatrical distribution business.
Spitz will oversee the theatrical release of up to 12 films a year and curate a slate that blends acclaimed filmmaker-driven fare with broad action and genre titles. He reports to division president Ben Kramer.
The company’s new venture will complement Black Bear’s operations across English-language markets: the London-based UK & Ireland distribution operation and international sales, productions, and acquisitions businesses; and theatrical distributor Elevation Pictures in Canada.
Black Bear recently released in its territories Edward Berger’s Conclave, Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist, Sean Baker’s best picture Oscar winner Anora, and Osgood Perkins’ Longlegs and The Monkey, among others.
On the eve of the Venice, Telluride and Toronto festivals, the new division will be on the ground looking for acquisitions and could make a statement buy to announce its arrival.
That in turn could embolden its peers in a generally cautious US distribution sector that has been beleaguered by the pandemic, the rise of streaming, Hollywood strikes, and industry-wide cost-cutting.
The industry has responded positively to Black Bear’s new division since it was announced last month, and Screen understands several others are expected to launch soon.
Spitz joins after serving for 18 years as president of distribution at Lionsgate, where he oversaw theatrical distribution strategy for films that collectively have earned over $10bn at the North American box office. Among the highlights are La La Land, Knives Out, and the Hunger Games, John Wick, Now You See Me, Saw, and The Expendables franchises.
Prior to Lionsgate he was at Artisan Films and its predecessor LIVE Entertainment, and before that he handled film sales for MGM Distribution and acquisitions for Mann Theaters.