Ian Jessel
- Producer
- Additional Crew
- Executive
Ian Jessel was born in London and was educated at Queen Elizabeth's
School in London and Brasenose College, Oxford University where he
obtained both B.A. and M.A. degrees in Modern languages. Upon
graduation from Oxford, Ian was selected by the Rank Organization as a
management trainee in London and at Pinewood Studios. At this time Rank
had a strong international presence throughout the world and Ian
traveled extensively working closely with senior management in Europe
and Australia, ultimately being responsible for worldwide acquisitions.
After five years with Rank, Ian left to set up his own company and
acquired the rights to the political thriller
Z (1969) which won two awards at Cannes and two
Oscars. During the 1970s. Ian was Managing Director of John Heyman's
World Film Sales and Lord Grade's I.T.C. Entertainment where he was
responsible for all the company's international activities including
I.T.C., A.T.V. and in addition was a director of the Classic Cinemas
Circuit. Among the films with which was actively involved were "The
Go-Between", "The Boys from Brazil", "The Muppet Movie", "Sophie's
Choice", "Return of the Pink Panther", "The Eagle Has Landed" and "On
Golden Pond".
In 1981, Ian relocated from London to Los Angeles upon being appointed Vice President of International Distribution and Marketing at CBS Films. During his tenure at CBS, Ian worked closely with filmmakers of the caliber of David Brown and John Frankenheimer and traveled extensively throughout Europe and the Pacific Rim, where he was responsible for all CBS Films' international acquisitions and distribution activities. Since leaving CBS, Ian has been President and CEO of Nelson Entertainment, where he supervised all international distribution of Rob Reiner's "When Harry Met Sally", and Spelling Films where he was instrumental in acquiring 'Robert Altman''s "The Player" and distributing David Lynch's "Twin Peaks." In both these companies, Ian established all international operations and oversaw their rapid growth and success.
In 1992, Ian Jessel was appointed President of Miramax International, one of the strongest independent companies which, during Ian's tenure, acquired, produced and distributed films of class and distinction such as Robert Altman's Ready to Wear (1994), 'Chen Kaige''s "Farewell My Concubine", Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction", Woody Allen's "Bullets Over Broadway", Jane Campion's "The Piano", and 'Peter Jackson''s "Heavenly Creatures." Miramax International was created in July 1992 and under Ian's leadership in two years became the world's leading independent foreign sales company. In addition to supervising all Miramax international activities, Ian was also Executive Producer on Robert Altman's "Pret-a-Porter." Films in which Ian has been closely associated have won 16 Oscars and 4 Palmes d'Or.
After Miramax was acquired by Disney, Ian continued to focus on international distribution and co-production, and is (in 2013)in pre-production on a family adventure-comedy, entitled "Switcheroo", in partnership with Martin Brown (producer of "Moulin Rounge") and Jeff Apple (producer of "In the Line of Fire").
In 2012, Ian was appointed President of Legend3D, one of the world's leading 3D conversion companies, which is working closely with all the major studios on their 3D releases for 2014-2015.
Ian speaks French, German and Italian and is (in 2012-2013)studying Mandarin. A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Ian is also a member of the British Film Academy and the American Film marketing Association.
In 1981, Ian relocated from London to Los Angeles upon being appointed Vice President of International Distribution and Marketing at CBS Films. During his tenure at CBS, Ian worked closely with filmmakers of the caliber of David Brown and John Frankenheimer and traveled extensively throughout Europe and the Pacific Rim, where he was responsible for all CBS Films' international acquisitions and distribution activities. Since leaving CBS, Ian has been President and CEO of Nelson Entertainment, where he supervised all international distribution of Rob Reiner's "When Harry Met Sally", and Spelling Films where he was instrumental in acquiring 'Robert Altman''s "The Player" and distributing David Lynch's "Twin Peaks." In both these companies, Ian established all international operations and oversaw their rapid growth and success.
In 1992, Ian Jessel was appointed President of Miramax International, one of the strongest independent companies which, during Ian's tenure, acquired, produced and distributed films of class and distinction such as Robert Altman's Ready to Wear (1994), 'Chen Kaige''s "Farewell My Concubine", Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction", Woody Allen's "Bullets Over Broadway", Jane Campion's "The Piano", and 'Peter Jackson''s "Heavenly Creatures." Miramax International was created in July 1992 and under Ian's leadership in two years became the world's leading independent foreign sales company. In addition to supervising all Miramax international activities, Ian was also Executive Producer on Robert Altman's "Pret-a-Porter." Films in which Ian has been closely associated have won 16 Oscars and 4 Palmes d'Or.
After Miramax was acquired by Disney, Ian continued to focus on international distribution and co-production, and is (in 2013)in pre-production on a family adventure-comedy, entitled "Switcheroo", in partnership with Martin Brown (producer of "Moulin Rounge") and Jeff Apple (producer of "In the Line of Fire").
In 2012, Ian was appointed President of Legend3D, one of the world's leading 3D conversion companies, which is working closely with all the major studios on their 3D releases for 2014-2015.
Ian speaks French, German and Italian and is (in 2012-2013)studying Mandarin. A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Ian is also a member of the British Film Academy and the American Film marketing Association.