David Kosse appointed as Director of Film4

4 August 2014

David Abraham, Chief Executive of Channel 4, has today announced the appointment of David Kosse as Director of its feature filmmaking division Film4. Kosse joins from Universal Pictures where he is currently President, International, and will take up his post on 1st November to lead the Channel’s award-winning and internationally acclaimed film production arm.  

David Abraham, Channel 4’s Chief Executive, says: “After a very thorough search, I am delighted that David Kosse will lead the next chapter of Film4. David is one of the most respected leaders in the film industry today. He has built impeccable creative relationships with British and international talent and is also steeped in knowledge and experience of changing distribution models in film. I know that David will be a great addition to my management team and I greatly look forward to seeing his vision unfold at 4.”

David Kosse says: “This is undeniably one of the best jobs in the British film industry. I've always had a passion for film and filmmakers and been a huge advocate for and a supporter of the British film industry so I am really excited about joining Film4. Tessa Ross and her team have done a fantastic job over the past few years and I hope my experience in international production, financing and distribution will see Film4 continue to flourish. We want to build a slate of innovative, exciting British films which continues Film4's great filmmaking legacy of working with established filmmakers and discovering great new and original British talent.”

Kosse is a key and influential player in the British and international film industry, and brings enormous experience in international production, marketing and distribution spanning both the independent and studio sectors.

As Director of Film4 Kosse will oversee the development, financing and green-lighting of all feature films, and support for the production and distribution of all Film4-backed releases both in the UK and internationally.

Working closely with the commissioning and development teams, Kosse will oversee Film4’s diverse slate – delivering on Channel 4’s remit to produce quality independent films, discover and develop new filmmaking talent, and support the UK film industry. He will also be responsible for exploring new partnerships and distribution platforms for Film4 content, and seeking to maximise return on investment for Film4 titles both in the UK and abroad.

Kosse replaces Tessa Ross who announced her departure to become Chief Executive of the National Theatre in March. He will report directly to Channel 4 Chief Executive David Abraham.

Kosse joins Film4 from Universal Pictures, where since 2009 he’s held the position of President, International, playing a key strategic and leadership role across all of its international divisions.

Based in London, Kosse was a key decision-maker in Universal’s greenlight process, and led the strategy for films throughout their life-cycle of release across traditional and new media platforms.

During his ten years at Universal he started and built Universal Pictures International, the company’s international marketing and distribution arm, into a global operation based in 16 countries which has grossed over $2 billion at the box office in 2014 alone. He also substantially grew the international acquisitions and production business whose recent notable recent successes include BOYHOOD, WOLF OF WALL STREET and ZERODARKTHIRTY, and delivered international production hits in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Argentina.

His international successes include the global box office phenomenon MAMMA MIA! which grossed over $460 million internationally, the BOURNE franchise ($1.2B worldwide) and LES MISÉRABLES ($293 million) – which helped Universal Pictures achieve its biggest year in history in 2013. UPI’s current slate includes upcoming Film4 titles Alex Garland’s EX MACHINA, Lone Scherfig’s THE RIOT CLUB and Kevin Macdonald’s BLACK SEA.

Prior to joining Universal Pictures in 2004 Kosse ran UK-based Momentum Pictures, a leading British independent distributor which he established in 2000 to release both art-house and mainstream films. These included critically-acclaimed titles such as Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Oscar-nominated AMELIE, Peter Mullan’s critically-acclaimed THE MAGDALENE SISTERS and Sofia Coppola’s break-out hit LOST IN TRANSLATION.

Kosse is a member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) where he has headed two BAFTA juries, a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), and is on the board of Into Film and the Donmar Warehouse Theatre.

Film4 is Channel 4 Television’s feature film division. Film4 develops and co-finances films and is known for working with the most innovative talent in the UK, whether new or established.

Film4 has developed and co-financed many of the most successful UK films of recent years, Academy Award-winners such as Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave, Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges and Phyllida Lloyd’s The Iron Lady; critically-acclaimed award-winners such as Mike Leigh’s Another Year, Chris Morris’ Four Lions, Shane Meadows’ This is England, Ben Wheatley’s Sightseers and Clio Barnard’s The Selfish Giant; and the most successful British comedy at the UK box office, Ben Palmer’s The Inbetweeners Movie.

Film4’s upcoming slate includes Sarah Gavron’s Suffragette, Todd Haynes’ Carol, Kevin Macdonald’s Black Sea, Justin Kurzel’s Macbeth, Lone Sherfig’s The Riot Club, Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard’s 20,000 Days on Earth, Debbie Tucker Green’s Second Coming, Mike Leigh’s Mr. Turner, Alex Garland’s Ex Machina, Yann Demange’s ’71, Damon Beesley and Iain Morris’s The Inbetweeners Movie II and Anton Corbijn’s A Most Wanted Man.