Wright quits BBC Films

by Naman Ramachandran

16/11/2010 - BBC Films Managing Director Jane Wright will relinquish her duties by the end of November in order to explore new film opportunities.

Wright initially joined BBC Films to work on marketing and film investment before being appointed Vice President of Co-Productions and Sales for BBC Worldwide Americas. She became Head of Business Development for BBC Films in 1998, specialising in raising co-production finance.

In 2000 she was seconded to international film distributor The Sales Company as interim CEO, where she commissioned Gurinder Chadha’s smash hit Bend It Like Beckham [trailer] and sold Danis Tanovic’s Oscar winner No Man’s Land [trailer].

Wright returned to BBC Films as Head of Rights & Business Affairs in 2001 where she managed the legal and business affairs team and marketing functions. In 2007 she received a Women In Film Award for her contributions to film. Wright became Managing Director of BBC Films in 2009, and recently executive produced West is West [trailer].

Jana Bennett, Director of BBC Vision, said, “Jane's depth of knowledge about the film industry has helped to shape our strategy and position BBC Films right at the heart of the British film industry.”

Wright said, “I’m incredibly proud of what's been achieved at BBC Films over the past 15 years. It is in fantastic shape and I feel I have fulfilled everything I’d ever hoped to at BBC Films – now an extremely attractive partner for top British talent and the international film industry, and very much valued by the BBC. It feels like the right time to move on and explore new challenges. I've loved working with so many talented filmmakers on so many wonderful films and I look forward to working with them and my BBC Films colleagues in my future endeavours.”