Film4 unveils new roles for Battsek and Madden

10 May 2022

Ollie Madden to succeed Daniel Battsek as Director, Film4 as Battsek appointed Chairman

Film4 has announced new roles for Ollie Madden and Daniel Battsek. These changes reflect the current success of Film4 both in the UK and internationally, and will ensure that Film4 continues to make a significant contribution to the film industry as well as strengthening existing relationships and fostering new partnerships.

Ollie Madden will succeed Battsek as Director, Film4. Formerly Deputy Director and Creative Director, Madden will take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the organisation. Madden joined Film4 in 2017. He has spent 25 years working across film and high-end television, at Dragon Films, Miramax Films, Intermedia Films, Warner Bros and Kudos.

“In an increasingly over-saturated landscape, what Film4 offers is vital: a space where the most innovative and distinctive British filmmakers can be nurtured and supported to do their best work,” said Ollie Madden, newly appointed Director, Film 4. “It’s an immense thrill and huge responsibility to lead it into this next chapter, and I want to thank Daniel Battsek for his inspiring leadership and generosity over the last five years, as well as Alex Mahon and Channel 4’s deep-rooted commitment to  independent film. I couldn’t be more excited to work with the incredible Film4 team in launching the next generation of cutting-edge talent.”

Daniel Battsek, currently Director of Film4, is assuming the title of Chairman, Film4. Battsek will continue to work closely with Madden on Film4’s  activities whilst also taking on a widened brief to include Film4’s role within parent company Channel 4, the distribution and marketing of Film4 titles as well as US distributor and equity co-financing relationships.

Battsek added: “Ollie has excelled in all aspects of his role as Film4 Head of Creative and in taking on the extra responsibilities as my Deputy , we have formed an even stronger business relationship. Now the time has come for Ollie to become Director , with oversight over all Film4’s day to day activities. This allows me the freedom to develop other aspects of my role at Channel4 whilst remaining closely involved with Film4 in partnership with Ollie.”

Battsek joined Film4 in July 2016 from Cohen Media Group where he was President, and previously has worked at National Geographic Films, Miramax Films, Buena Vista International Films, Palace Pictures and Hoyts Entertainment.

Battsek and Madden will continue to have joint responsibility for greenlighting Film4 projects as well as strategy, corporate and press relations.

Film4 invests £25m annually to develop and co-fund British films with British talent, more than any other UK broadcaster. It has actively launched and nurtured the careers of talent both in front of and behind the camera, and since its launch it has won 37 Oscars and 84 BAFTAs.

“Since its creation, and particularly in the last five years, Film4 has made a significant and vital contribution to the UK film industry, and I am incredibly proud that it remains the biggest investor in British films with British talent,” commented Alex Mahon, Chief Executive, Channel 4. “Daniel and Ollie’s incredible dedication and expertise has ensured that Film4 is the partner of choice, producing some of the most thrilling, genre-defining and successful films of the last decade. In their new roles, they will ensure that Film4 will continue to be a major player – both creatively but also in terms of the discovering and nurturing the wealth of talent in front of, and behind the camera which makes the UK film industry the benchmark globally.”