Worldview Entertainment

Worldview Entertainment was an American motion picture finance and production company focused on theatrical-quality feature films for worldwide distribution. The company produced 23 films, including Fox Searchlight's critically acclaimed hit Birdman, which was nominated for nine Academy Awards, won four Oscars, including Best Picture, and grossed more than $103 million in global box office revenue.

History
Worldview Entertainment was founded in 2007 by Christopher Woodrow, who served as chairman and CEO until 2014. Maria Cestone, daughter of New Jersey businessman Ralph M. Cestone, became a co-founding partner and significant investor in the company in 2008. Molly Conners joined Worldview in 2009 as chief operating officer. Sarah Johnson, daughter of billionaire businessman Charles B. Johnson, former chairman and CEO of Franklin Templeton Investments, became a partner and major investor in the company in 2011. Worldview emerged as one of the most prolific players in independent film, securing more than $150 million in financing. The company maintained a key partnership with Creative Artists Agency and occupied the penthouse of the historic Lefcourt Normandie Building in Midtown Manhattan.

The company's first commercial hit was William Friedkin's Southern Gothic crime film Killer Joe. The film premiered in September 2011 at the Venice Film Festival before making its North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it was sold domestically to LD Entertainment in one of the biggest sales of the festival. Matthew McConaughey was later nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead.

Worldview's 2013 slate consisted of three films that premiered in May at the Cannes Film Festival, including Guillaume Canet's crime thriller Blood Ties, which was sold domestically to Lionsgate in one of the biggest sales of the festival and released through its Roadside Attractions banner; and James Gray's period drama The Immigrant, which was nominated for the Palme d'Or and sold domestically to The Weinstein Company. During the festival, the company announced the closing of a $30 million multi-year revolving credit facility with Comerica Bank to provide financing for its films. Worldview also collaborated with nightclub Bungalow 8 to host a pop-up at the Carlton Beach Club featuring a performance by Boy George.

Worldview premiered two films in August 2013 at the Venice Film Festival, including David Gordon Green's Southern Gothic crime drama Joe, which was sold domestically to Lionsgate and released by Roadside Attractions. The company went on to premiere six films in September at the Toronto International Film Festival, including Atom Egoyan's West Memphis Three crime drama Devil's Knot, which was sold domestically to Image Entertainment; and Eli Roth's cannibal horror film The Green Inferno, which was sold domestically to Open Road Films and released by Blumhouse Productions' multi-platform arm BH Tilt and High Top Releasing. During the festival, Worldview announced plans to move into U.S. film distribution and collaborated with Bungalow 8 to host a two-night pop-up at the Thompson Hotel Rooftop Lounge featuring performances by DJ Benji Boko.

Worldview's 2014 slate consisted of two films that premiered in January at the Sundance Film Festival, including Zach Braff's comedy-drama Wish I Was Here, which was sold domestically to Focus Features in one of the biggest sales of the festival. The company announced a multi-year, multi-picture co-financing agreement in May with The Weinstein Company and had a big presence at the Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered Michel Hazanavicius's French drama The Search, which was nominated for the Palme d'Or. During the festival, Worldview collaborated with The Weinstein Company and Bungalow 8 to host a three-night pop-up featuring performances by DJ Grandmaster Flash. The company was also a presenting sponsor at amfAR's 21st annual Cinema Against AIDS Gala at the Hôtel du Cap.

Worldview premiered two films in August 2014 at the Venice Film Festival, including Alejandro González Iñárritu's black comedy-drama Birdman, with Fox Searchlight and New Regency. The film made its North American debut in September at the Telluride Film Festival before screening in early October at the New York Film Festival. Worldview's biggest hit was released on October 17, 2014, and grossed $103 million in global box office revenue. Birdman received seven Golden Globe Award nominations and won two Golden Globe Awards on January 11, 2015, including Best Actor in a Motion Picture and Best Screenplay. The critically acclaimed film went on to receive nine Academy Award nominations and won four Oscars on February 22, 2015, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Cinematography.