Devastating Loss in the Film Industry
The evening before Cannes, the film industry suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Andrew Karpen, founder and CEO of Bleecker Street and CEO of Independent Community Stalls. Karpen, 59, lost his battle with brain cancer, specifically glioblastoma, which he was diagnosed with in 2024. He passed away on Monday in a hospital in Connecticut.
A Legacy of Leadership and Courage
Karpen’s long-time friend and president of Bleecker Street, Kent Sanderson, remembered him fondly, saying, "Our industry has lost a giant. Andrew taught us all so much about the value of kindness, honesty, and family being above all. His leadership and courage will continue to inspire us at Bleecker Street for the rest of our lives." Karpen’s legacy will undoubtedly be felt throughout the industry, and his impact will be deeply missed.
A Career Spanning Decades
Born on April 18, 1966, Karpen attended Washington University in St. Louis and received his Finance BMA from the NYU Stern School of Business. He began his career at Miramax in New York and served as an SVP of Finance & Planning at Oxygen Media. In 2002, Karpen joined Focus Features, rising to president in 2006 and later becoming co-CEO. During his tenure, he oversaw the management of Focus Features International, the company’s former international sales and distribution arm.
Bleecker Street’s Notable Releases
Under Karpen’s leadership, Bleecker Street released over 75 films, including recent titles such as TIFF selections The Friend with Naomi Watts and Bill Murray, David Mackenzie’s Relay with Riz Ahmed, Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths, and Guy Maddin’s Cannes 2024 entry Rumors. The company has also expanded its presence in the horror genre with films like From the Darkness and the upcoming The Third Parent. Later this summer, Bleecker Street will release Rob Reiner’s mockumentary sequel This Is Spinal Tap II: The Reunion Continues, following the original cult classic from 1984.
Remembering Andrew Karpen
Karpen is survived by his wife Pam, his sons Josh and Zack, his daughter Sloan, and Josh’s wife Kristen, who is expecting her first child. The family has requested that donations be made in Karpen’s name to the Lenox Hill Brain Tumor Center or the Hospice House of Fairfield County. As the film industry mourns the loss of this visionary leader, his memory will live on through the countless lives he touched and the incredible films he brought to the screen.
