FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ – MAY 2024: Jeffrey Forman, Senior Vice President, International Theatrical Sales, The Walt Disney Studios, has been named as the CineEurope 2024 recipient of the International Distributor of the Year Award. The Award will be presented as part of the CineEurope Awards Ceremony on Thursday 20 June at the Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain.
“We are so honored and excited to present this award to our good friend Jeff,” stated Andrew Sunshine, President of Film Expo Group. “Jeff has played such a key role at The Walt Disney Studios for over three decades, leading by example as our industry has gone through so many changes. His dedication and commitment to Disney is second to none and he proves it day in and day out. Jeff Forman could not be more deserving of this award and is the perfect executive to bestow this honor upon.”
As Senior Vice President of International Theatrical Sales, Jeffrey Forman oversees international distribution encompassing all territories outside of the U.S. and Canada for the studio’s film labels including Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures. In his current role, he works with the international teams, as well as both internal stakeholders and external partners, to successfully release and maximize the reach of all Disney theatrical releases to audiences globally. In addition, Forman oversees and coordinates the premium formats and technology aspects of the business as well as International Non-theatrical.
A seasoned and well-liked executive among his colleagues and clients, Forman has helped distribute every studio film the company has released since 1992, including both the original animated versions and live-action adaptations of The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin. He has worked on every Marvel film, from The Avengers in 2012 through Deadpool & Wolverine opening this July, the entire Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, each Pixar film beginning with Toy Story through this summer’s Inside Out 2, and Avatar 2.
Among other milestones throughout the course of his illustrious career, Forman played an instrumental role in the global success of 26 of the 53 films that have surpassed the billion-dollar mark at the global box office and was pivotal to the integration of 20th Century Studios into the Disney portfolio.
Forman became very familiar with the film industry at a young age as his father, Jerry, was a longtime executive with Pacific Theaters. His very first job in the business was working as an usher at the Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles at the age of 16. After a brief career in real estate law, Forman joined Disney in 1991 during the nascent stages of what would evolve into Buena Vista International. Forman was responsible for helping to set up and manage the Asia-Pacific region. In 1995, he relocated to Hong Kong to open the Disney theatrical offices throughout the region including Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, and India. He returned to Los Angeles in 1999 to continue running the APAC region and in 2010 was promoted and tasked with overseeing international distribution.
Forman graduated from UCLA with a BA in Economics, received a Master’s in Business Administration from USC, and holds a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School. He resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Jennifer, and their two children Joshua and Jacqueline, who are both currently attending college.
About CineEurope
CineEurope 2024 will take place from 17-20 June at the Centre Convencions Internacional Barcelona (CCIB) in Barcelona, Spain. CineEurope is the longest-running and most successful European convention and trade show for major, regional, and independent cinema professionals. CineEurope will feature exclusive screenings and product presentations of upcoming films, sponsored events, timely and informative seminars and the CineEurope Trade Show. CineEurope is the Official Convention of the Union Internationale des Cinémas/International Union of Cinemas (UNIC).
About UNIC
The Union Internationale des Cinémas/International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) represents the interests of cinema trade associations and cinema operators covering 39 countries in Europe and neighbouring regions.
About Film Expo Group
The Film Expo Group is the premier organizer of events in the motion picture industry. The Film Expo Group produces CineEurope, held in Barcelona; ShowEast, held in Miami; and CineAsia, held in Bangkok.
Media Contact:
Dawn
Blaschick
Dawn.blaschick@filmexpos.com
