STX International Execs Reunite With John Friedberg At Black Bear International As Company Announces U.K. Distribution Plan

deadline.com:

Top U.K. STX International executives Llewellyn Radley, Laura Austin Little, Jill Silfen and Mike Shanks have reunited with John Friedberg at new company Black Bear International, as it announces a U.K.

distribution plan.The announcement comes just days after news broke that STX was closing the London office it opened in 2017, in a development that was expected to impact at least a dozen members of staff.Friedberg exited as STX’s President of International after seven years in the job last May.

He then went on to announced the creation of Black Bear International with Teddy Schwarzman during Cannes.The arrival of his former STX colleagues has enabled Friedberg to set his international leadership team.Radley joins as EVP, International and UK MD and will lead the launch of Black Bear’s direct distribution business in the UK, reporting to Friedberg.The company will release 12-15 films per year, including Black Bear productions and international and UK acquisitions.STX & Lionsgate In Talks For Strategic PartnershipBlack Bear UK has already secured UK rights to two sought-after titles – Conclave, directed by Edward Berger and starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow, and Knox Goes Away, starring and directed by Michael Keaton.Entering the UK direct distribution market strategically complements Black Bear’s Canadian distribution operation, Elevation Pictures, led by Laurie May and Noah Segal.Little joins as EVP, International Sales and will oversee the sales and licensing of Black Bear International’s slate of titles.

Before joining STX, Little held senior sales roles at Lakeshore Entertainment, Annapurna and Exclusive Media.Silfen joins as General Counsel.