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Warner Latest Victim: Studio-ification of "Indie" Studios Continues

The New Warner Independent Pictures Emerges, With Cohen At The Helm

Aiming for a new philosophy at Warner Independent Pictures, studio production president Jeff Robinov officially announced Monday that Polly Cohen, one of his key production executives at the studio, will head Warner Bros. Pictures three-year-old Indiewood label. The move comes just a few days after ...

INDUSTRY MOVES: Ptak Leaves CAA for Arsenal

John Ptak is leaving CAA after 15 years to join Philip Elway in forming Arsenal, described (in an announcement) as, "a strategic consultancy that will advise producers, equity funds and distribution companies on the growth of their businesses, as well as the financing and distribution arrangements o...

"A Lion in the House" Picked up for U.S. Release by Online Journal, Reverse Shot

Online film journal Reverse Shot has announced its first foray into theatrical distribution with the acquisition of Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert's critically acclaimed documentary "A Lion in the House." Premiering at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival in January, the film has since gone on to share the best documentary prize at the Nashville Film Festival and taken special jury nods at both the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and the Cleveland International Film Festival in addition to an audience award at the recently completed Hot Docs in Toronto. It will see television broadcast on PBS' "Independent Lens" in late June. The film pr...

The Top Ten So Far...

Each Monday, indieWIRE receives the final weekend numbers for specialty releases in theaters. This is our top ten for the past weekend so far, with most numbers already in. The top ten is subject to change before the final chart is published tomorrow and the weekly box office column is written. Thre...

The Best Prom Ever!

Polly Cohen Named New President of Warner Independent Pictures

Polly Cohen has been named president of Warner Independent Pictures, Jeff Robinov, president of production, Warner Bros. Pictures announced Monday afternoon. Cohen, who has served as executive vice president, production at Warner Bros. Pictures, will report directly to Robinov, replacing Mark Gill who left the post May 2nd. Cohen began her career at Jersey Films, and joined Warner Bros. Pictures as a creative executive in 1997 and was promoted to production executive in 1998. In 1999 she became vice president, production and in 2003 she was named senior vice president. She was appointed executive vice president, production in February of this...

Reuters: New documentary makes case for "The Saint of 9/11"

A new documentary film makes a case for sainthood for Mychal Judge, a New York Fire Department chaplain who died at the World Trade Center in the September 11 attacks. One of the best-known victims of the worst attack on U.S. soil, the Franciscan friar chose to join his men within the North Tower rather than remaining on the sidelines and died at age 68 after giving last rites to a fallen firefighter. Glenn Holsten's film, "The Saint of 9/11," shows Judge moving in often-conflicting social circles: a proud Irish-American; a recovering alcoholic helping others fight addiction; a confidant for tough, gritty firefighters, and a celibate homosexu...