Pamela Abdy, MGM’s Motion Picture Group President to be honoured with the Game Changer Award during the Zurich Summit industry conference at the 17th Zurich Film Festival. Abdy will be joined by Michael de Luca, MGM’s Motion Picture Group Chairman, for a conversation on how they have created a home for every kind of storyteller at MGM.
The Game Changer Award pays tribute to excellency in the film business with a focus on leaders that not only cherish change in the industry but also stand for the DNA of what cinema has stood for since it’s invention.
“Pamela Abdy has revitalised MGM and given the legendary studio a new radiance with the motto Ars Gratia Artis. Later this year, MGM is bringing brilliant films to the big screen such as NO TIME TO DIE by Cary Joji Fukunaga, HOUSE OF GUCCI by Ridley Scott, LICORICE PIZZA by Paul Thomas Anderson and CYRANO by Joe Wright. With this, the studio is reviving the cinema business under their leadership,” says Christian Jungen, Artistic Director of the Zurich Film Festival.
“I am honored to be given this award by the Zurich Film Festival, and want to extend my deep appreciation to Christian, Reta and their entire organization. I consider it a genuine privilege to stand alongside the legendary filmmakers who have been a part of the MGM family for the last century, and I am grateful to welcome so many incredible storytellers – both new and established – to join us as we endeavor to make great films at MGM in the years ahead.” affirmes Pamela Abdy, MGM’s Motion Picture Group President.
Prior to Abdy’s role at MGM she has championed original ideas and authorship, working with great filmmakers including QUEEN & SLIM director Melina Matsoukas and writer Lena Waithe, A MILLION LITTLE PIECES director Sam Taylor-Johnson. Furthermore, she has worked with Academy Award®-winning director Alejandro González Iñárritu on BABEL, BIRDMAN, and THE REVENANT. She was also responsible for Adam McKay’s Academy Award®-winning THE BIG SHORT and Martin Scorsese’s SHUTTER ISLAND – while serving at Paramount Pictures, Bluegrass Films, New Regency and Makeready.
How Pamela Abdy and Michael de Luca have reinvented MGM’s film division
The Zurich Summit will welcome MGM’s Pamela Abdy and Michael de Luca for a conversation with CAA Media Finance co-head Roeg Sutherland to discuss how they have weathered the pandemic, the changing role of the studios in the current landscape, and what they see as the future of MGM, driven by their ongoing commitment to the theatrical experience.
Zurich Summit – September 25-26
This 2-day boutique conference, hosted at the Dolder Grand, gathers top producers, financiers, sales executives and creatives from across film, TV and entertainment as well as technology experts and entrepreneurs.
“This year’s smart mix of knowledge transfer and inspiration includes Netflix’s Germany, Austria and Switzerland Manager Lars Wiebe in conversation with creators working on exciting new projects for the streaming giant. We’re especially excited to hear Miranda Fleming from Bohemia Fantasia talking about how to reach new audiences with their brand-new business strategy based on community building,” comments Reta Guetg, Head of Industry of the Zurich Film Festival. Kim Magnusson from Scandinavian Film Distribution, and Roosa Toivonen, from Aurora Studios, will share their brand-new business models. The new director of the European Film Academy, Matthijs Wouter Knol, will close the day with a look at the opportunities and challenges facing European Cinema. Other speakers throughout the day will include Giorgos Karnavas, producer at Greece’s Heretic, Rosa Attab of France’s Why Not Productions, Robert Walak of Anonymous Content and Danny Perkins, CEO and Founder of the UK’s Elysian Film Group.
The full program and tickets for the 17th Zurich Film Festival (Sept. 23-Oct. 3) are now available on the ZFF website.