LPWire: Michael Williams-Jones, President of Miramax Int'l, Electing to Step Down Effective Mar 1
Michael Williams-Jones, President of Miramax International, Electing to Step Down Effective March 1, 2005
Miramax Films announced today that
following a projected record breaking 2004, Michael Williams-Jones, President of
Miramax International, has elected to step down effective March 1, 2005. The
announcement was made today by Miramax Co-Chairmen, Bob and Harvey Weinstein.
"We are truly grateful for Michael's considerable contributions to Miramax's
International success this year," said Harvey Weinstein. "Michael joined the
company to lead and further develop our international interests and he has more
than achieved these goals. We will miss his always well-reasoned and candid
opinions. He leaves us after 37 years as a true pioneer of the International
motion picture industry. We wish Michael well in any and all future endeavors."
Prior to coming to Miramax, Michael Williams-Jones rose to the Presidency of
United Artists International in the late 1970's and subsequently built and ran
UIP as President and CEO for 15 years.
"After a long career with the majors, I was intrigued by the opportunity to work
with Bob and Harvey," said Michael Williams-Jones. "Over the past 25 years they
have both been at the forefront of independent cinema and watching how they
operate from the inside has been a revelation. They are indefatigable and
intense but their unbridled passion for film and extraordinary talent is what
really distinguishes them. It has been no accident that the Weinsteins have
scored consistently well both commercially and artistically for many years and
this year's awards recognition for Finding Neverland and The Aviator is no
different. Whatever direction the future takes for them I have no doubt that
they will be out there leading from the front as usual with great imagination
and flair and of course their trademark drive."
Michael Williams-Jones went on to praise his entire division and its
International Distribution Partners.
"You are only as good as the product and the people around you and I had the
best on both counts -- a genuinely talented staff and a great network of
Distributors. Buena Vista International under Mark Zoradi's inspired leadership
is the finest in the business today and on every level added greatly to the
success of Miramax International in 2004 as did TFM our partners in France and
our superb network of independent buyers and distributors."
--Posted February 16, 2005
Source: Miramax Films