Kent Sanderson has been promoted from president to CEO at Bleecker Street following the death earlier this year of Andrew Karpen.
“Andrew set a powerful example in which the filmmaker always comes first, the theatrical window is paramount, and great filmmaking is celebrated and championed,” said Sanderson. “All of us at Bleecker are committed to honouring and carrying that vision forward, and while the company will continue to evolve and grow, his legacy will always remain an inherent part of our DNA.”
Los Angeles-based Sanderson, one of the most insightful minds in the independent film sector, joined Bleecker in 2014 when Karpen launched the company with backing from Manoj Bhargava, founder of Innovations Ventures.
He became president in late 2023 and previously served as Bleecker’s head of acquisitions and ancillary distribution, leading transactions on Debra Granik’s Leave No Trace, Steven Soderbergh’s Logan Lucky, Gavin Hood’s Eye In The Sky, and James Hawes’ One Life, among many others. He oversaw output and licensing deals with the likes of Amazon Prime Video, Showtime, Hulu, HBO, Netflix, Starz.
Sanderson attended Cannes with the Bleecker team last month and led tributes to Karpen at a beachside event attended by friends and leading lights from the industry. Karpen died of glioblastoma in late April at the age of 59.
In addition, Tyler DiNapoli has been named president and Chief Marketing Officer. DiNapoli has also been at the company since inception, previously leading media and research. He will oversee marketing across the entire slate and head Bleecker’s primary office in New York and has helped manage campaigns including Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom, and Joe Wright’s Atonement, Henry Selick’s Coraline. He will continue to work closely with Myles Bender, president of marketing, creative advertising.
In another key promotion, Rachel Allen is elevated from SVP, publicity to EVP, publicity. She previously served at Cinetic Marketing and joined Bleecker Street in 2023 and leads publicity, festival, and awards. Campaign highlights include Golda and Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths.
Bleecker Street’s senior management team includes president of distribution Kyle Davies.
The upcoming slate includes Spinal Tap II: The End Continues on September 12, Sundance selection Rebuilding starring Josh O’Connor in autumn, Bone Lake in October, and Guy Nattiv’s Harmonia in 2026.
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