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Producer Todd Black will receive the inaugural Career Producer Honor at the 39th annual Virginia Film Festival, which takes place Oct. 21-25 in Charlottesville.
The Virginia Film Festival Career Producer Honor celebrates
the artistic impact of a standout producer and is supported by a new endowment established by Virginia Film Festival Advisory Board member and producer Julie Lynn and her sister, Amy Quinn.
As part of the award, Black will participate in screenings and programs at VAFF, including a presentation of “The Social Reckoning” followed by an in-person conversation between Black and director Aaron Sorkin. Black produced “The Social Network” sequel along with Stuart M. Besser, Peter Rice and Sorkin.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate the legendary work and new films from producer Todd Black with our first Career Producer Honor,” VAFF executive director Jody Kielbasa said.
Black’s extensive list of producing credits includes films like “The Pursuit of Happyness,” “The Upside,” “Hope Springs,” “Southpaw,” “Seven Pounds,” “Cassandro,” “Emancipation,” “Being the Ricardos” and “Fences,” which earned him a 2017 Best Picture nomination. As president of production at Mandalay Entertainment, he oversaw the making of “Donnie Brasco,” “Seven Years in Tibet,” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and more. In 2000, Black formed his Escape Artist banner with Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch.
Along with “The Social Reckoning,” Black is also producing Amazon MGM’s “Madden,” a biopic about the iconic NFL coach and broadcaster. Nicolas Cage stars in the titular role alongside Christian Bale, Kathy Hahn, Matt Medrano and Derrick Goodman Jr. “Madden” hits Prime Video on Nov. 18.
“My sister Amy and I created this endowment to celebrate the remarkable creative contributions producers make to the films we love,” said VAFF Advisory Board Member and producer Julie Lynn. “Producers are there from the earliest stages of a project through its journey to the audience, and we felt it was important to create an honor that recognizes that complex work and its lasting impact. Todd Black’s role in bringing so many memorable films to the screen, paired with his commitment to artists and great storytelling, makes him an ideal first recipient of this honor. We are delighted to recognize him at the Virginia Film Festival this year.”
