Introduction to Black Bear
Black Bear, a production, finance, and sales company based in the United States and Great Britain, is expanding into US cinema distribution. This move is a significant step for the company, which has been growing its production and theater business in Canada and Great Britain.
Expansion into US Cinema Distribution
The company has recruited Benjamin Kramer, formerly co-boss of CAA Media Finance, to oversee the expansion as President of US distribution. Kramer will be responsible for monitoring the growth of the company’s US operation, which aims to release up to 12 theater publications per year. The focus will be on a curated series of filmmaker titles, as well as wide-release action and genre films.
Company Background
Black Bear currently has a presence in London, where it handles international sales, direct theater distribution in Great Britain and Ireland, and international productions and acquisitions. In Canada, the company has independent theater distributors. Recent releases in these territories have included Aor, Present Bad, The Brutalist, and Longleg.
Production and Financing Business
The company’s production and financing business has been involved in several upcoming projects, including the comprehensive projects Dreaming Dreams for Netflix and Guy Ritchie’s In Gray, which will be distributed by Lionsgate. At CAA, Kramer worked on Black Bear films including Sing Sing, Nyad, Stupid Money, and Mud. He has also handled financing and/or sales for The Brutalist, A Real Pain, and Another Man.
Executive Comments
Teddy Schwarzman, CEO of Black Bear, commented on the expansion, saying, "Today is an important step for Black Bear, as we consolidate the skills of our studio through development to release. Building on the successful sales transactions that we have created in Canada and Great Britain, our US theater business will focus on domestic market deals that serve the public." Kramer added, "It is incredibly exciting to join the business at this moment. I had the pleasure of working with Teddy, John, Michael, and the team on many successful films. I have spent my career evaluating what films are creatively and commercially viable, and we are looking forward to combining great film work with the effort."
