Katie Anderson has been named executive vice president of acquisitions at large indie label Black Bear.
Anderson, who is coming off his role as vice president at Sony Pictures, joins former CAA indie sales guru Ben Cramer, who is newly appointed president of Black Bear, at the store. She will serve the U.S. theatrical distribution business, which has ambitions to release 12 domestic films a year. Her marching orders are to deliver a slate that blends filmmaker-driven work with a wide range of action and genre titles. The appointment comes as Hollywood prepares to screen and bid on high-profile films at January’s Sundance Film Festival.
“A great acquisition team is key to our U.S. theatrical operations, and Katie is exactly the person we want to lead the way for Sundance and beyond,” said Kramer. “As a former colleague and partner on many films over the years, I have witnessed her keen sense of style, great interpersonal skills, and clear reading of what audiences are responding to at the moment.”
Mr. Anderson spent approximately five years at Sony, leading domestic and international acquisitions. Her notable hits were Celine Song’s “Materialist,” the Sundance breakout “I Saw the TV Glow,” “Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret,” “Bodies, Bodies, Bodies” and “Dumb Money.” Previously, he served as Vice President of Production at 30West, where he contributed to films such as the Oscar winner “I, Tonya” and the Cannes hit “Silent Twins.” Anderson also worked at CAA and Paramount Pictures.
“Black Bear has become synonymous with the highest quality of filmmaking, with a portfolio that ranges from award-nominated films like Train Dreams, Sing Sing, and The Imitation Game to talent-driven films like Dumb Money, Immaculate, and Working Man. “We’re known for producing and releasing everything from the audience favorites, not to mention ‘Shelter,’ which will be released later this month,” Anderson said, referring to Black Bear’s upcoming Jason Statham. title. “We are excited to continue expanding Black Bear’s reach by further deepening our relationships with the top filmmakers, producers and investors behind bold original work that connects with a wide range of audiences.”
