Curzon Hires Edward Fletcher As CEO

Industry veteran Edward Fletcher has been hired as the new CEO at Curzon. He will oversee exhibition and distribution.

Fletcher joins following the departure of Philip Knatchbull. He has experience in British film exhibition, distribution, and production. After managing cinemas in Croydon, Cambridge, and London’s ICA, Fletcher moved into distribution at ICA Projects before co-founding distributor Soda Pictures in 2002, growing its catalog to more than 300 titles, including acclaimed British, international, and documentary films. In 2014, Soda Pictures was acquired by Canadian media group Thunderbird Entertainment, relaunching as Thunderbird Releasing. The Palme d’Or-winning Shoplifters delivered the company’s biggest hit to date before they pivoted to television production.

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Fletcher went on to develop a new film and TV division for games and publishing company Rebellion before co-founding with producer Emma Biggins the independent production label Beef, which has a slate of projects from emerging British directors currently being packaged. A former board member of Film London, he is currently vice chair at Film Cymru Wales.

“Ed Fletcher’s knowledge of the U.K. film market will be invaluable to Curzon as it continues to expand its business and present the world’s finest films to discerning filmgoers,” said Charles S. Cohen, Chairman and Owner of Curzon. “Ed’s production experience will allow Curzon to undertake a more active film production role going forward. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Curzon family.”

Fletcher added: “Curzon has an unrivaled film heritage, much-loved cinemas, and a culturally leading distribution arm. With the strength and collaborative spirit of owners Cohen Media Group, I look forward to working with the team at Curzon and Charles S. Cohen to continue to bring the best of cinema to audiences to Curzon.”

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