Entertainment Industry Leadership Changes

Black Bear, the independent studio behind Sydney Sweeney’s boxing drama “Christy,” has hired Bianca Parkes and Heather Phillips to oversee marketing and publicity efforts. Their appointments were announced amid the production company’s efforts to expand into U.S. theatrical d

Kartemquin Films has always been guided by the motto “Democracy through Documentary,” as author Patricia Aufderheide notes in her book Kartemquin Films: Documentaries on the Frontlines of Democracy. For generations, the Chicago-based institution has been producing some of the most lauded and importa

Black Bear Releasing has hired Bianca Parkes as their new Head of Marketing and Heather Phillips as their new Head of Publicity. Parkes joins from Neon where she led creative campaigns for Best Picture winners and hit genre films. Phillips is longtime publicity vet having worked at 20th Century Fox

Universal Pictures is releasing the Snoop Dogg biopic, Snoop, on Friday, Aug. 6, 2027. The movie takes the place of the Untitled Universal Event Film. Universal has had a great streak with musical biopics, taking Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson movie Michael past $1 billion global, having handled

EXCLUSIVE: Veteran talent agent Josiah Akinyele is leaving Innovative Artists after 17 years to transition to management. He has joined ColorCreative, the management and production company co-founded by Issa Rae, Deniese Davis, and Talitha Watkins, as a manger. Akinyele will report to ColorCreative

Strength in numbers? Movie theater operators are hoping the adage proves true as four new movies aim to bolster the October box office. Paramount’s video game adaptation “Street Fighter” will lead over fellow newcomers, with opening weekend estimates of $25 million to $35 million from 3,500 No

After 17 years of leadership, Bob Daly will step down as chair of the American Film Institute Board of Directors at the next trustee meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 21, Variety can reveal exclusively. Daly, former Warner Bros. chair and co-CEO, joined the AFI Board in April 1981 and was named chair on Oc

Aaron Paul paid tribute to his Breaking Bad co-star RJ Mitte after his death at 34. The actor, who played Jesse Pinkman in the AMC series, took to social media to memorialize Mitte. “RJ, You have always been an inspiration for so many. I am so sorry you were hurting my friend. I wish we knew,&