NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 6, 2022 – IFC Films announced today that it has hired Scott Shooman as Senior Vice President of Acquisitions reporting directly to Arianna Bocco, President of IFC Films. Shooman will be tasked with leading the acquisitions team to acquire approximately 30 films per year for both the IFC Films and IFC Midnight slate in all stages of production from scripts to finished films. He will be the primary liaison between sister companies RLJE Films and horror-focused streaming service Shudder, as well as parent company AMC Networks and will attend festivals on behalf of the company starting with Sundance, where IFC Films will present Venice Golden Lion Winner HAPPENING from Audrey Diwan as well as HATCHING, the debut feature from Hanna Bergholm. Manager of Acquisitions Adam Koehler will report to Shooman, who will be based in New York.
Arianna Bocco, President of IFC Films said, “For more than 20 years, IFC Films has been an industry leader in independent film distribution and as we forge ahead in an ever-changing marketplace, I cannot think of a more exciting executive than Scott Shooman to lead our film acquisitions team. Scott has great intuition, impeccable taste and an innate understanding of both commercial and arthouse films that will continue to position IFC Films as a leader in acquiring exciting new content and discovering new voices. The breadth of Scott’s experience is unmatched and I can’t wait to see what he will accomplish working to shape our future slates.”
Shooman said, “IFC Films is one of the most iconic and refined brands in independent film. They embrace storytelling, established auteurs, fresh new voices, and are willing to take bold chances on innovative movies. With their dynamic thinking when it comes to curation and distribution, I could not be happier to join Arianna and the rest of the team at IFC Films. With the current evolution happening before our eyes in the film business, IFC Films is terrifically positioned to redefine the way movies are presented.”
IFC Films has been an industry leader with its fluid and bespoke distribution models, and is well positioned to continue to be a key independent film destination for filmmakers and cinephiles.
Shooman joins IFC Films from Endeavor Content where he was a senior executive with a project specific focus in Content and Partnerships. He worked across the Television, Feature, Non-Fiction, Audio and their Live teams to help generate and package entertainment content across all divisions.
Prior to Endeavor Content Shooman served as Head of Acquisitions for CBS Films. At CBS Films he acquired a series of acclaimed hit titles including the Academy Award® Best Picture nominated HELL OR HIGH WATER, INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS, and AT ETERNITY’S GATE. In addition, his acquisitions included Golden Globe® Best Picture nominees SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN and PRIDE, as well as THE KINGS OF SUMMER. Shooman oversaw numerous co-productions including SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS, THE WOMAN IN BLACK, LOVE THE COOPERS, WHAT IF, and MIDDLE SCHOOL.
Prior to his time at CBS Films, Shooman spent a decade at Sony Pictures Entertainment. In 2006 he segued from their Screen Gems banner to help establish the newly formed Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group. There he was responsible for the acquisition and/or production of dozens of titles including WE OWN THE NIGHT, THE RAID, THE SQUID AND THE WHALE, ATTACK THE BLOCK, and INSIDIOUS.
ABOUT IFC FILMS
Established in 2000 and based in New York City, IFC Films is a leading U.S. distributor of independent film. Its unique distribution model makes independent films available to a national audience by releasing them in theaters as well as on cable’s Video On Demand (VOD) and digital platforms.
IFC Films current and upcoming releases include Paul Verhoeven’s BENEDETTA, Mia Hansen Love’s critically acclaimed BERGMAN ISLAND, Jacques Audiard’s PARIS, DISTRICT 13 and Hany Abu Assad’s HUDA’S SALON. The company’s successes over the years have included BOYHOOD, THE DEATH OF STALIN, FRANCES HA, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN, THE BABADOOK, TOUCHING THE VOID, 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS, CHE, SUMMER HOURS, ANTICHRIST, IN THE LOOP, JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK, TINY FURNITURE, and CARLOS.
About AMC Networks
AMC Networks is a global entertainment company known for its popular and critically-acclaimed content. Its portfolio of brands includes fast-growing targeted streaming services AMC+, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now and ALLBLK, as well as AMC, BBC AMERICA (operated through a joint venture with BBC Studios), IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv and IFC Films. AMC Studios, the Company’s in-house studio, production and distribution operation, is behind some of the biggest titles and brands known to a global audience, including The Walking Dead, the Anne Rice catalog and the Agatha Christie library. The Company also operates AMC Networks International, its international programming business, and 25/7 Media, its production services business.