David Linde

David Linde, CEO of Lava Bear Films

David Linde is the CEO of Lava Bear Films as a film production and financing company developing projects specifically designed for the global marketplace.^[1] Lava Bear has ties to major studios and distributors as well as companies that are shaping the future of film, including Lava Bear's primary equity participant, Reliance Entertainment.^[2]

Over the course of 2010, Linde also served as Executive Producer of Alejandro González Iñárritu's Oscar® nominated Biutiful,^[3] Producer of Fernando Meirelles’ 360,^[4] and Executive Producer of Zhang Yimou’s upcoming Heroes Of Nanking starring Christian Bale.^[5]

As an Executive, he most recently served as Chairman of Universal Pictures.^[6] During his tenure, Universal significantly grew its’ international distribution platform across all media and launched Universal's family/animation banner, Illumination Entertainment.^[7]

Prior to Universal, Linde simultaneously served as Co-President of Focus Features and President of its genre production unit, Rogue Pictures.^[8] Linde oversaw a slate that featured Roman Polanski’s The Pianist (2002 film); Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation (film); Fernando Meirelles’ The Constant Gardener (film); as well as Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain.^[9] During Linde’s tenure at Focus, the company was honored with 53 Oscar nominations resulting in 11 Academy Awards®. In 2008, Linde oversaw the sale of Rogue Pictures to Relativity Media.^[10]

Linde served as both Co-President and Partner of the production company Good Machine and President and founder of Good Machine International (GMI), beginning in January 1997.^[11] GMI handled the international distribution of films including Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (of which Linde was Executive Producer);^[12] Alfonso Cuaron's Y Tu Mamá También (of which Linde was Executive Producer);^[13] Joel Coen and Ethan Coen’s The Man Who Wasn't There;^[14] and Todd Field’s In the Bedroom.^[15] Films distributed by GMI earned six Academy Awards from 22 nominations, including two for Best Picture; and five Golden Globe® Awards from 18 nominations. While at Good Machine, Linde also executive produced Todd Solondz's Happiness (1998 film).^[16] In 2002, Linde and his partners sold the Good Machine companies to Universal Pictures and created Focus Features.^[17]

Linde joined Miramax Films in 1991 as Vice President of Acquisitions before being promoted to Executive Vice President and Head of Sales as the founding executive of Miramax Films International.^[18] While at Miramax, he oversaw the international distribution of Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction; Woody Allen’s Mighty Aphrodite; Wes Craven’s Scream (film); and Anthony Minghella’s multi-Academy Award-winning The English Patient (film).

Early in his career, Linde directed the sales of more than 300 independently produced film, documentary and television titles as Vice President at Fox/Lorber.^[19] He also supervised sales of select international theatrical rights at Paramount Pictures.^[20]

Professional honors and awards

Throughout his career Linde has recognized for numerous awards including The Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneer of the Year,^[21] General Electric’s Chairman’s Award for Performance Turnaround,^[22] the Anti-Defamation League’s Distinguished Entertainment Industry Award,^[23] the 21st Israel Film Festival - Visionary Award,^[24] New York Magazine: Best Of The Industry Award, and the Gotham Award For Distinguished Achievement, among others.^[25]

References

1. ^ Adler, Tim (16 February 2010). "David Linde Resurfaces With New Company". Deadline. http://www.deadline.com/2010/02/david-linde-resurfaces-with-new-company/. 
2. ^ Abrams, Rachel (24 May 2011). "Reliance funds Linde shingle". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118037547. 
3. ^ Honeycutt, Kirk. "Biutiful -- Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/biutiful-film-review-29616. 
4. ^ Adams, Mark (10 September 2011). "360 Movie Review". Screen Daily. http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-latest/360/5031893.article. 
5. ^ Kay, Jeremy (8 November 2011). "Wrekin Hill deal throws The Flowers Of War into Oscar race". Screen International. http://www.screendaily.com/news/distribution/wrekin-hill-deal-throws-the-flowers-of-war-into-oscar-race/5034379.article. 
6. ^ Snyder, Gabriel (17 March 2006). "Pair has Universal appeal". http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117939869. 
7. ^ Barnes, Brooks (3 April 2011). "For Illumination Entertainment, Animation Meets Economic Reality". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/04/business/media/04illumination.html?pagewanted=all. 
8. ^ Hernandez, Eugene (17 March 2006). "With Indiewood Films Riding High, David Linde Named a Top Exec at Focus' Hollywood Parent". indieWIRE. http://www.indiewire.com/article/with_indiewood_films_riding_high_david_linde_named_a_top_exec_at_focus_holl. 
9. ^ Rooney, David (24 March 2004). "Focus widens lens with Rogue". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117902220?categoryid=13. 
10. ^ Siegel, Tatiana (4 January 2009). "Relativity reels in Rogue". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117997927?refCatId=13. 
11. ^ "October Machine-ready". Variety. 30 July 1997. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1116675563. 
12. ^ McCarthy, Todd (17 May 2000). "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Film Review". Variety. http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117780997/. 
13. ^ Johnston, Sheila (14 September 2001). "Y Tu Mama Tambien - Film Review". Screen Daily. http://www.screendaily.com/y-tu-mama-tambien-and-your-mother-too/406888.article. 
14. ^ Dawtry, Adam (10 May 2001). "'Man' tops Machine slate sales". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117799072. 
15. ^ Goodridge, Mike (21 February 2002). "GMI cleans out Bedroom, as buyers hail Hero". Screen Daily. http://www.screendaily.com/gmi-cleans-out-bedroom-as-buyers-hail-hero/408422.article. 
16. ^ McCarthy, Todd (17 May 1998). "Happiness - Dark Side of 'Happiness' Explores Sexual Taboos". Variety. http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117912865/. 
17. ^ Harris, Dana (2 May 2002). "Good Machine buy alters Focus at U". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117866379. 
18. ^ Roman, Monica (16 December 1996). "LINDE, GOOD MACHINE PARTNER". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117466563. 
19. ^ Levine, Syndney (11 October 2011). "TIFF 2011 and into AFM". indieWIRE. http://blogs.indiewire.com/sydneylevine/tiff_2011_AFM. 
20. ^ "David Linde "Produced By" Conference Bio". http://www.producedbyconference.com/2011/index.php?page=speakers---david-linde. 
21. ^ "The Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneer of the Year Officiall Winners List". http://www.wrpioneers.org/files/wrpioneers/files/Pioneers%20Announcement%20presentation09.pdf. 
22. ^ "David Linde "Produced By" Conference Bio". http://www.producedbyconference.com/2011/index.php?page=speakers---david-linde. 
23. ^ Snyder, Gabriel (9 April 2006). "A pro-social focus". Variety. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117941228?refCatId=38. 
24. ^ Shai, Oren (1 November 2006). "THE ISRAELI FILM FESTIVAL". Films in Review. http://www.filmsinreview.com/2006/11/01/the-israeli-film-festival/. 
25. ^ "David Linde "Produced By" Conference Bio". http://www.producedbyconference.com/2011/index.php?page=speakers---david-linde.