Independent Film News

Warner Independent Names Cohen to Helm

Just days after Mark Gill, the man who served as Warner Independent Pictures' first presdent, announced he'd be leaving the company, production president Jeff Robinov named Polly Cohen (right) as his replacement. Cohen joined WIP in 1997 as creative executive, climbing the studio ladder through production exec, vice president and senior vice president of prodcution all by 2003. She'll helm the studio from a team perspective, Robinov assured IndieWIRE in an interview Monday.

Laura Kim, heading up marketing and publicity, and Steve Friedlander, in charge of domestic distribution, both worked closely with Gill during the first years of the studio's creation. They'll still be part of the team under Cohen, Robinov noted.

Cohen's alread got an ambitious schedule to set to work on, with plans to release five to eight films per year. That range includes festival acquisitions, for which Cohen has specifically set up a discretionary fund. She's also intent on creating lasting partnerships with filmmakers, looking for "repeat business" from successful movie makers.

According to the interview, Cohen's already worked on the upcoming Harry Potter installment and this summer's much-buzzed-about Superman Returns. Here's hoping she can bring just as much attention to the studio's independent arm.

Posted by Lisa on May 9, 2006 11:17 PM
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How and who do I contact at Warner independent films to get the performance fee for "Everything is Illuminated"? We want to show it for our film festival.

Thanks

-- Posted by: Anne Ney at June 28, 2006 07:10 PM

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