Daniel Battsek
Encyclopedia
Daniel Battsek is an English
film producer
and executive, and current President
of National Geographic Films. He was President
of Miramax Films
.
and Political Studies.
Between 1985 and 1991, Battsek was managing director of Palace Pictures where he was involved in all aspects of marketing, distribution and acquisitions in the UK and Ireland. Battsek began his industry career at The Hoyts Film Corporation in Sydney, Australia where he quickly rose through the ranks to general manager in Victoria State overseeing distribution.
Battsek was first introduced to Disney in 1991, when he was asked to start up a UK Company as part of the worldwide distribution network for Buena Vista International. In 1992, he officially joined The Walt Disney Studios
. Battsek was quickly promoted to vice president/managing director where he handled all aspects of theatrical film distribution in the UK. He was later promoted to vice president, managing director and European acquisitions director of BVI (UK) Limited. His responsibilities also included involvement in the acquisition of distribution rights across numerous territories for such films as Muriel's Wedding
, Shine
, Central Station
, Kolya
, and Ice Storm
.
In 1998, he was promoted to senior vice president, BVI (UK) Limited where he oversaw approximately 35 films per year from the Disney, Touchstone and Miramax labels. With his expanding role, Battsek began acquiring and developing British film projects for worldwide distribution. He created the BVI UK Comedy Label which produced four films, like High Heels and Low Lifes
, Hope Springs, Calendar Girls
, and Kinky Boots
.
On July 24, 2005, he was named President of Miramax Films, after Harvey and Bob Weinstein left the company, due creative and financial differences with Disney exec, Michael Eisner. Since he took control of the company, Miramax has released films that have enjoyed success in the critical, including The Queen, No Country for Old Men
or Doubt
. He has re-focused the study to produce films of high quality but low budget.
On January 20, 2010, Battsek was announced as President of National Geographic Films. He began March 15, 2010. Mr. Battsek repleaced Adam Leizpig
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
and executive, and current President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of National Geographic Films. He was President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of Miramax Films
Miramax Films
Miramax Films is an American entertainment company known for distributing independent and foreign films. For its first 14 years the company was privately owned by its founders, Bob and Harvey Weinstein...
.
Life and career
Battsek is a graduate of Oxford Polytechnic where he majored in SocialSocial
The term social refers to a characteristic of living organisms...
and Political Studies.
Between 1985 and 1991, Battsek was managing director of Palace Pictures where he was involved in all aspects of marketing, distribution and acquisitions in the UK and Ireland. Battsek began his industry career at The Hoyts Film Corporation in Sydney, Australia where he quickly rose through the ranks to general manager in Victoria State overseeing distribution.
Battsek was first introduced to Disney in 1991, when he was asked to start up a UK Company as part of the worldwide distribution network for Buena Vista International. In 1992, he officially joined The Walt Disney Studios
Walt Disney Pictures
Walt Disney Pictures is an American film studio owned by The Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney Pictures and Television, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Studios and the main production company for live-action feature films within the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, based at the Walt Disney...
. Battsek was quickly promoted to vice president/managing director where he handled all aspects of theatrical film distribution in the UK. He was later promoted to vice president, managing director and European acquisitions director of BVI (UK) Limited. His responsibilities also included involvement in the acquisition of distribution rights across numerous territories for such films as Muriel's Wedding
Muriel's Wedding
Muriel's Wedding is a 1994 Australian-French romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by P. J. Hogan. The film, which stars actresses Toni Collette, Rachel Griffiths, Sophie Lee, and Bill Hunter, focuses on the socially awkward Muriel whose ambition is to have a glamorous wedding and improve...
, Shine
Shine
Shine may refer to:* Reflection* Shine , a 1996 Australian film starring Geoffrey Rush* Shine * Shine Guitars* LG Shine, mobile phone* Donal Shine, Gaelic footballer...
, Central Station
Central Station
-Railway stations:A central station is generally the principal passenger railway station of major towns and cities which have multiple stations, or a station owned by a railway with "Central" in its name, such as the English Great Central Railway....
, Kolya
Kolya
Kolya is a 1996 Czech film drama about a man whose life is reshaped in an unexpected way. The film was directed by Jan Svěrák and stars his father Zdeněk Svěrák who also wrote the script from a story by Pavel Taussig.- Synopsis :...
, and Ice Storm
Ice storm
An ice storm is a type of winter storm characterized by freezing rain, also known as a glaze event or in some parts of the United States as a silver thaw. The U.S. National Weather Service defines an ice storm as a storm which results in the accumulation of at least of ice on exposed surfaces...
.
In 1998, he was promoted to senior vice president, BVI (UK) Limited where he oversaw approximately 35 films per year from the Disney, Touchstone and Miramax labels. With his expanding role, Battsek began acquiring and developing British film projects for worldwide distribution. He created the BVI UK Comedy Label which produced four films, like High Heels and Low Lifes
High Heels and Low Lifes
High Heels and Low Lifes is a 2001 action comedy-drama film starring Minnie Driver, Mary McCormack, Kevin McNally, Mark Williams, Danny Dyer and Michael Gambon. It was directed by Mel Smith and written by Kim Fuller and Georgia Pritchett...
, Hope Springs, Calendar Girls
Calendar Girls
Calendar Girls is a 2003 comedy film directed by Nigel Cole. Produced by Buena Vista International and Touchstone Pictures, it features a screenplay by Tim Firth and Juliette Towhidi based on a true story of a group of Yorkshire women who produced a nude calendar to raise money for Leukaemia...
, and Kinky Boots
Kinky boots
Kinky boots are boots with extreme characteristics which are intended to present a dramatic sexy appearance, such as by a prostitute or dominatrix. Extreme characteristics might include very high heels, thigh- or crotch-high length, or unusual colors or materials. They can be related to boot...
.
On July 24, 2005, he was named President of Miramax Films, after Harvey and Bob Weinstein left the company, due creative and financial differences with Disney exec, Michael Eisner. Since he took control of the company, Miramax has released films that have enjoyed success in the critical, including The Queen, No Country for Old Men
No Country for Old Men (film)
No Country for Old Men is a 2007 American crime thriller directed by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, and starring Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin. The film was adapted from the Cormac McCarthy novel of the same name...
or Doubt
Doubt
Doubt, a status between belief and disbelief, involves uncertainty or distrust or lack of sureness of an alleged fact, an action, a motive, or a decision. Doubt brings into question some notion of a perceived "reality", and may involve delaying or rejecting relevant action out of concerns for...
. He has re-focused the study to produce films of high quality but low budget.
On January 20, 2010, Battsek was announced as President of National Geographic Films. He began March 15, 2010. Mr. Battsek repleaced Adam Leizpig