BPS 429: The Unfiltered History of Film Distribution with AFM Co-Founder with Michael Ryan

Michael Ryan started his career working in the TV industry for Sir
Lew Grade’s UK company, ITC. In 1978 he formed J&M
Entertainment with a colleague, a distribution sales agent for
independent films. As J&M grew, it developed its business model
to also take responsibility for financing new films & providing
production finance.In 1980 Ryan and J&M were founder members of
the American Film Marketing Association (AFMA) – later to be
renamed Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) – which
was formed to provide an annual film market based in Los Angeles.
Michael served two terms as Chairman of IFTA (2004-2008) and
another three terms from 2015-2021.In 2000, Ryan partnered with Guy
Collins. Between them they have financed, sold and produced over
200 films, including The Wild Geese, The English Patient, The
General, Whats Eating Gilbert Grape, The Osterman Weekend, the
Highlander series, Planet 51 and more recently, at GFM Films with
Fred Hedman, Toei Animations Harlock, Absolutely Anything starring
Simon Pegg and Simon West-directed action thriller Stratton
starring Dominic Cooper. On July 15, 2022, GFM’s Paws of Fury: The
Legend of Hank, an independently financed and produced animated
feature is based on Mel Brooks iconic Blazing Saddles that launched
as a project by GFM Films at AFM in 2014, was released across 4,500
U.S. screens by Paramount.

Please enjoy my conversation with Michael Ryan.

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