Having recently announced that it was entering the theatrical distribution sphere, financier and producer Black Bear has tapped veteran executive David Spitz to serve as Head of US Theatrical Distribution.
The former Lionsgate distribution head will oversee theatrical for the new expansion of Black Bear’s distribution infrastructure, which builds on the leadership of its established theatrical businesses in the UK, Ireland and Canada. Spitz will oversee the theatrical release of up to 12 films per year, a blend of filmmaker-driven, action and genre titles. He will report to the U.S. theatrical distribution division’s President Benjamin Kramer, who made Thursday’s announcement.
“David is one of the most respected and accomplished distribution executives in the theatrical business,” said Kramer. “He has a fantastic track record of shepherding the work of outstanding filmmakers and delivering commercial hits to wide audiences. His deep relationships with exhibitors, and proven instincts for release strategies, make him an ideal addition to our growing team. We at Black Bear are deeply excited to work alongside him in delivering transportive theatrical experiences to audiences.”
Said Spitz: “I’m thrilled to join Black Bear at this exciting moment, as they enter an ambitious new chapter. I look forward to working with Ben, as well as the great distribution teams across Black Bear’s other territories, to create theatrical events that drive audiences to theaters and connect with viewers across the country.”
For 18 years, Spitz served as President of Distribution of Lionsgate, seeing theatrical releases that minted north of $10 billion domestic including Academy Award winners including Crash, La La Land and Precious; franchises including The Hunger Games, John Wick, Now You See Me, Saw, and The Expendables; and other influential hits like The Blair Witch Project, The Big Sick, Wonder, Knives Out, Buena Vista Social Club and Fahrenheit 9/11. At Lionsgate, Spitz also released films targeted to underserved audiences, including the highest-grossing Spanish-language film in domestic box office history, Instructions Not Included, as well as Code Black’s All Eyez on Me, Kevin Hart’s Let Me Explain, and 19 Tyler Perry films.
Prior to Lionsgate, Spitz was with Artisan Films and its predecessor LIVE Entertainment. Earlier, he handled film sales for MGM Distribution and acquisitions for Mann Theaters.
Black Bear’s U.S. distribution arm complements its London office, which also releases movies in the UK and Ireland while also focusing on foreign sales and production acquisitions. In Canada, Black Bear owns Elevation Pictures, the country’s leading independent theatrical distributor. These businesses have been behind the territorial releases of recent successes including Edward Berger’s Conclave, Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist, Sean Baker’s Best Picture winner Anora, Osgood Perkins’ Longlegs and The Monkey, and more.
In addition to its U.S. distribution presence, Black Bear’s production and financing business has numerous anticipated titles coming soon. Its upcoming credits include David Mackenzie’s Relay, starring Riz Ahmed, Lily James and Sam Worthington, releasing this month via Bleecker Street; Clint Bentley’s Train Dreams, starring Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones, for Netflix; Guy Ritchie’s In the Grey, starring Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal and Eiza Gonzalez, being distributed by Lionsgate; David Michôd’s Christy, starring Sydney Sweeney; Daniel Roher’s Tuner, starring Leo Woodall, Dustin Hoffman and Havana Rose Liu; Gregg Araki’s I Want Your Sex, starring Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman; and Andrew Patterson’s The Rivals of Amziah King, starring Matthew McConaughey, Angelina LookingGlass and Kurt Russell.
Other films currently in post-production include Guy Ritchie’s Wife & Dog, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Rosamund Pike and Anthony Hopkins; Ric Roman Waugh’s untitled action thriller starring Jason Statham; and Spa Weekend, from Bad Moms directors Jon Lucas & Scott Moore, starring Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Michelle Buteau and Anna Faris.