A seismic change here in the realm of independent film before Oscar Sunday: Longlight Searchlight Pictures presidents Nancy Utley (65) and Steve Gilula (70) have announced their retirement after a two-decade run with the classic Disney label bought from Fox.
Searchlight veterans Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum, the studio’s longtime production managers, have been promoted to president of Searchlight and will lead the company together. Greenbaum and Greenfield will report to Alan Bergman, president of content for Disney Studios, and Alan Horn, creative director of content for Disney Studios.
The news comes just before Oscar Sunday, when Searchlight’s Nomadland starring Frances McDormand, is expected to win Best Picture and Best Director for filmmaker Chloe Zhao. If Zhao wins the best director, she will be the second woman to do it at the Oscars and the first person of color. Daily, Nomadland has won PGA, DGA, Golden Globe Awards for Best Drama and Director and has six Oscar nominations. Searchlight did not report brutality in the film during its theatrical development in the pandemic; the image is also available on Hulu.
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During Utley and Gilula’s tenure, Searchlight won the best Oscar image in four of the last eight ceremonies: Slumdog millionaire ($ 378 million WW), 12 years a slave ($ 188 million WW), Birdman ($ 103 million) and The shape of the water ($ 195 million). The duo have worked together as presidents of Searchlight since 2009; their first collaboration The boys don’t cry was launched in 1999. The two were previously COOs, with Utley overseeing marketing and Gilula leading the cast, before being named president in 2009, filling the vacancy left by Searchlight Boss Peter Rice. In 2018, Gilula and Utley were appointed presidents. Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum have been named production president at Searchlight Pictures.
Utley and Gilula’s departure also comes at a time when executive chairman Bob Iger is retiring, along with 33-year-old Disney chief veterinarian Jayne Parker.
“Thanks to the management 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 Searchlight’s integration into Disney.” said Bergman and Horn. “Leave 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 continue to set a course that will keep Searchlight at the forefront of the industry.” ”
“Our time at Searchlight was the kind of career highlight we could only dream of in this business,” said Utley and Gilula. “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, promoting the stories we are passionate about and, along the way, to make iconic movies that will stand the test of time. We are so proud of how this studio has grown and evolved over the years and we are ready to step on the flashlight to continue the legacy of Searchlight. ”
“First of all, we want to thank Nancy and Steve for their years of running the world’s most dynamic specialty film company,” said Greenbaum and Greenfield. “While their track record speaks for itself, Steve and Nancy’s passion, intelligence and vision are equal. The extremely loyal team they have built reflects the honesty, transparency and integrity with which they have led and which we aspire to move forward. With the foundation laid by them and the continued support of Alan Bergman, Alan Horn and everyone at Disney, Searchlight is ready for its next exciting chapter. ”
Also today, it was announced that Rebecca Kearey will lead Business Operations and International Marketing for Searchlight. Creative directors Katie Goodson-Thomas and DanTram Nguyen will continue their roles in the development and production of the film. All three will report to Greenbaum and Greenfield with marketing heads Michelle Hooper and Larry Baldauf, acquisitions led by Chan Phung, and Searchlight Television, Gina Kwon and Jennifer Gonsky. The extensive Searchlight management team also includes business chief Paul S. Hoffman, physical production chief Elizabeth Sayre, music chief Danielle Diego, financial leader Marnie Duda, casting leader Yesi Ramirez and media and strategy leader Rob Wilkinson. Frank Rodriguez will continue to lead the Searchlight Pictures distribution as part of the DMED platform distribution division.
Since its release in 1994 by Tom Rothman (current president of Sony Pictures Motion Pictures), Searchlight has grossed over $ 5 billion WW, with 28 Golden Globe awards, 49 BAFTA awards and 40 Oscars, including four winners for best picture. Upcoming releases include the Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson AwardSummer Of Soul (… Or, when the revolution could not be televised), By David BrucknerNight house, By Michael ShowalterTammy Faye’s eyes, By Scott CooperHORNS, To Guillermo del ToroThe nightmare of the nightmare, By Wes AndersonThe French dispatcher, and Taika WaititiThe next goal wins.