4 months ago
EXCLUSIVE: Black Bear‘s caller U.S. distribution limb has added Disney and Sony vet Frank Patterson arsenic General Sales Manager to their ranks.
Patterson will study to David Spitz, Head of U.S. Theatrical Distribution.
Patterson counts 30 decades-plus of distribution acquisition astatine apical studios and starring independent movie companies. He will lend to nan division’s theatrical merchandise of up to 12 films per year, helping curate and present a slate that includes critically acclaimed, filmmaker-driven fare pinch wide action and genre titles.
“Frank is an exceptional income executive pinch deep-rooted relationships crossed nan accumulation organization and an outstanding grounds of delivering results,” said Spitz. “His acquisition pinch some awesome studios and indie leaders, mixed pinch his passion for nan theatrical experience, make him a tremendous summation to our team. We person an breathtaking slate coming together for 2026 and beyond, and I’m thrilled to activity pinch Frank to bring it to audiences astir nan country.”
“Building connected its occurrence successful different markets, Black Bear is quickly establishing itself arsenic 1 of nan astir breathtaking distributors successful nan U.S., and I’m thrilled to subordinate astatine this pivotal infinitesimal of growth,” said Patterson. “David and his squad person already curated an fantabulous movie slate for nan adjacent future, and I look guardant to leveraging my immense acquisition to thief style nan company’s success.”
Patterson joins Black Bear from Sony Pictures Releasing, wherever he oversaw theatrical distribution crossed nan Southern Division. Before Sony, Frank spent complete a decade astatine The Walt Disney Company, playing a cardinal domiciled successful income operations for nan Eastern Region. Previously, he held elder activity positions astatine Miramax Films, directing home distribution and contributing to trading and publicity efforts, including connected Academy Award campaigns for specified films arsenic The Queen, Tsotsi, and No Country for Old Men. Earlier successful his career, Frank held executive income roles astatine Artisan Releasing and Savoy Pictures, having begun his profession astatine Paramount Pictures.
Launched past July, Black Bear’s U.S. distribution limb expands its multinational theatrical business — already an manufacture leader successful nan U.K., Ireland, and Canada, wherever subsidiary Elevation Pictures is nan apical independent theatrical distributor. Under nan activity of Spitz and President Benjamin Kramer, nan section has group respective releases for 2026, including Daniel Roher’s Tuner, starring Leo Woodall and Dustin Hoffman, which screened to awesome acclaim astatine Telluride and TIFF, and Ric Roman Waugh’s Shelter, starring Jason Statham, Bodhi Rae Breathnach, Naomi Ackie, and Bill Nighy.
