AMC Theatres, the globe’s largest cinema chain, has announced the creation of Leawood Films, a new distribution label designed to bring independent films to theaters. The venture will be guided by three seasoned entertainment industry figures: Toby Emmerich, formerly heading Warner Bros.’ motion picture division; Ricky Strauss, known for his marketing work at Apple and Disney; and Kyle Davies, who previously led distribution efforts at Paramount.
The distribution label will concentrate on acquiring fully financed independent productions or completed films, utilizing AMC’s extensive exhibition and marketing capabilities to reach theater operators domestically and internationally. Davies has stepped down from his position at Bleecker Street to serve as a full-time employee overseeing the initiative, while Emmerich and Strauss will provide advisory support. The company is named after AMC’s headquarters location in Leawood, Kansas.
AMC CEO Adam Aron emphasized that the label aims to address an oversupply of theater capacity by increasing the volume of films available for exhibition. The company stressed that Leawood Films is intended to complement, rather than compete with, AMC’s existing partnerships with major studios and other distributors. This expansion into distribution follows AMC’s previous successful ventures, including the theatrical releases of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” and Beyoncé’s “Renaissance.”
Originally reported by Variety →
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