Sony Pictures Creates International Motion Picture Production Group

Sony Pictures Creates International Motion Picture Production Group

Schindler Named President; Teamed With Wigan to Run New Department

CULVER CITY, Calif., April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of the evolution and significance of the international film market, Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is creating an International Motion Picture Production department, to be jointly led by Gareth Wigan and Deborah Schindler, it was announced today by Michael Lynton, SPE Chairman and CEO and Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman.

Schindler has been promoted to President of the new division and will join Wigan in running it. Wigan, who is Vice-Chairman of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, has been chiefly responsible for building the studio's local language business over the past 10 years.

Schindler is the former head of Red Om Films and was Julia Roberts' producing partner. Her producing credits include Maid in Manhattan, Mona Lisa Smile, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Waiting to Exhale. Since 2005, she has run the East Coast motion picture production and development operation for Columbia Pictures.

SPE is the only major studio to maintain stand-alone, local language production units throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America, and it has helped bring such hits as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Snatch and Kung Fu Hustle, among others, to the global market.

Wigan and Schindler will be closely involved with the studio's recently announced film ventures in India and Russia, two of the most dynamic movie markets in the world. The new department will solidify and expand upon the studio's international production initiatives. SPE is currently active in motion picture production in China, Spain, France and Mexico.

"Under Gareth's leadership, we have made great strides in building relationships with filmmakers around the world and in producing and releasing terrific movies on several continents," said Pascal. "And Deb and I have known each other since we both started working in Hollywood more than twenty years ago, so I'm thrilled we'll be working together on movie-making in the international market. As a global company, this move reflects our commitment to artists and filmmakers who are telling stories in their own language for audiences in their own countries as well as around the world."

"With the maturation of this business, Gareth asked Deb to join him and help us take our international movie production to the next level," said Lynton. "Making more films in other countries is clearly consistent with our financial and artistic goals over the next several years."

"I am delighted that Deb Schindler has agreed to join me to head up this new department," said Wigan. "Deb's experience and record of working with renowned filmmakers and discovering talent will be invaluable as we grow this business. From Europe to Asia to Latin America, I have spent a great deal of time with film makers over the past several years. The expansion is phenomenal and I am excited to have a partner who loves international cinema as much as I do."

"We are entering a new age of movie-making in many parts of the world, and Sony Pictures' leadership in this arena puts us in the middle of this very exciting field," said Schindler. "I look forward to working with Michael, Amy, Gareth and everyone at Columbia Pictures to help bring great new pictures to audiences around the world." Wigan and Schindler will report to Lynton and Pascal. Wigan is based at SPE's Culver City studio and Schindler works in the SPE offices in New York.

Schindler began her film career as an assistant to Martin Scorsese, working on such films as Raging Bull and The Color of Money. She was an associate producer on Scorsese's After Hours. She has also worked at 20th Century Fox and Columbia Pictures. Her title prior to becoming President of the International Motion Picture Production Group was Executive Production Consultant.

Contact:

Steve Elzer
Senior Vice President, Media Relations
Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group
(310) 244-7142

Jim Kennedy
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
Sony Pictures Entertainment
(310) 244-6777

Source: Sony Pictures Entertainment

CONTACT: Steve Elzer, Senior Vice President, Media Relations of Columbia
TriStar Motion Picture Group, +1-310-244-7142; or Jim Kennedy, Senior Vice
President, Corporate Communications of Sony Pictures Entertainment,
+1-310-244-6777

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