Coogler, Song, Bird Form Filmmaker Council

A number of high-profile filmmakers are uniting to form the Filmmaker Leadership Council, a coalition designed to “champion the future of cinema worldwide”.

The group will be led by two major producers – blockbuster film veteran Jerry Bruckheimer and British producer Dame Emma Thomas who is also Chris Nolan’s wife/producing partner.

Joining them are a quartet of filmmakers – Oscar winners Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther,” “Creed”) and Brad Bird (“The Incredibles,” “The Iron Giant”) along with Oscar nominees Jason Reitman (“Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” “Up in the Air”) and Celine Song (“Past Lives,” “Materialists”).

The group aims to offer ‘meaningful support’ for theatrical exhibition and will work with exhibitors trade organisation Cinema United, the group formerly known as the National Association of Theatre Owners (the other NATO).

They will “provide vital feedback and recommendations on the most pressing issues facing theatrical exhibition today” including consolidation, windows, promotion, marketing, innovation and technology.

Cinema United senior consultant Greg Foster will serve as executive director. The news comes ahead of CinemaCon in Las Vegas next week – the annual theater owners convention. Bruckheimer and Thomas will be in attendance.

Source: THR