Plus: Kino Lorber acquires The Daughter; Aspen Film appoints industry trio for flagship events; and more…

Nicolas Chartier

Voltage Pictures CEO Nicolas Chartier announced on Wednesday that the company has entered into an exclusive arrangement with Alissa Phillips to make features, TV series and mini-series.

Phillips will work alongside the Voltage production team of partner and president of Voltage Productions Craig Flores, Voltage Pictures president of production Zev Foreman, and senior vice-president Dom Rustam.

Prior to Voltage Phillips was a producer with Michael De Luca where she produced Moneyball, Dracula Untold and Butter. She is serving as executive producer on the Focus Features film On The Brinks.

“We are incredibly excited to have Alissa work with us. Her studio experience and multi layered production experience will be a great compliment to our existing team,” said Chartier (pictured).

“I’m delighted to join the Voltage team,” said Philips. “I’ve admired Nicolas’ award-winning work from afar for some time and look forward to adding to his, Jonathan, Zev and Craig’s phenomenal run. I also think there’s a ton of opportunity for Voltage to continue to explore in television.”

“With the vast production infrastructure we have in place, I’m sure Alissa will be able to dive in and make an immediate impact as we strive to continue to deliver high quality content to our international partners,” said Voltage president and COO Jonathan Deckter.

  • Kino Lorber has acquired US rights from Mongrel International to Simon Stone’s drama The Daughter starring Geoffrey Rush, Ewen Leslie, Paul Schneider, Miranda Otto, Anna Torv, with Odessa Young and Sam Neill. Jan Chapman and Nicole O’Donohue produced and principal investor Screen Australia financed, in association with Screen NSW, Roadshow Films, Kazstar and The Gingerbread Man. Kino Lorber plans a winter launch.
  • Aspen Film has named a trio of special guest programmers for its flagship events during the 2016-17 season. Rachel Chanoff has been named director of programming for the 38th annual Aspen Filmfest set to run from September 21-25; Jane Schoettle will serve as director of programming for the 25th Aspen Film Academy Screenings from December 21, 2016-January 1, 2017; and Kathleen McInnis is named director of programming for the 26th Annual Aspen Shortsfest, set for April 5-9, 2017.
  • ArcLight Cinemas will present the second annual ArcLight Presents Women in Entertainment Summit at the Hollywood Cinerama Dome on November 10. ArcLight executive vice-president Gretchen McCourt said speakers will include Geena Davis, producer Bruna Papandrea, DreamWorks Animation co-president of feature animation Bonnie Arnold, and Theresa Won, director of production and acquisitions for Myriad Pictures.
  • Combatants For Peace and Cinema For Peace will host a special screening and post-screening conversation for Stephen Apkon and Andrew Young’s documentary Disturbing The Peace on the separation wall in Beit Jala in the West Bank on July 21. Abramorama will release the film theatrically in the US in autumn.