The departure of Wendy Lidell, the Senior Vice President of Theatrical Acquisitions & Distribution at Kino Lorber, marks the end of an era at the indie distributor. Lidell had an illustrious eight-year tenure at the company, during which she spearheaded numerous successful theatrical acquisitions and distribution efforts. Her departure at the end of June has raised questions about the future direction of the company’s theatrical division.
In the interim, the company’s Chief Revenue Officer Lisa Schwartz will be overseeing theatrical distribution and acquisitions. Schwartz, along with President Ed Carroll, will be responsible for steering the company through this transition period. Reporting to Schwartz will be a team of experienced professionals including SVP Marketing and Communications Nicholas Kemp, VP Press and Publicity Kate Patterson, VP Theatrical Distribution & Repertory Acquisitions George Schmalz, and Director Theatrical Distribution Maxwell Wolkin.
Lidell’s impact on Kino Lorber is undeniable. During her tenure, she shepherded three documentaries to Oscar nominations, including critically acclaimed films like Gianfranco Rosi’s “Fire at Sea” and Talal Derki’s “Of Fathers and Sons”. Her keen eye for quality cinema and knack for securing award-winning films solidified Kino Lorber’s reputation as a premier indie distributor. Additionally, Lidell oversaw the release of a number of successful theatrical releases such as “Long Day’s Journey Into Night”, “Anthropocene: The Human Epoch”, and “Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami”.
Prior to her time at Kino Lorber, Lidell served as the president of International Film Circuit, where she introduced groundbreaking filmmakers like Alexander Sokurov, Raúl Ruiz, and Nanni Moretti to the U.S. market. Her contributions to the art house cinema landscape have been lauded by both industry insiders and film aficionados alike. Lidell’s legacy at Kino Lorber is a testament to her profound impact on the world of independent cinema.
Richard Lorber, the chair and CEO of Kino Lorber, expressed his gratitude for Lidell’s invaluable contributions to the company. He highlighted her impeccable track record of film acquisitions, box office successes, and leadership during challenging times. Lidell, in turn, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to work with Lorber and reflected on the accomplishments she and her team achieved together. While her departure may signal the end of an era at Kino Lorber, it also heralds new beginnings and opportunities for growth.