David Kosse is an American-born media executive, and has held senior leadership roles at Universal Pictures, Netflix, Film4 and STX Entertainment.[1][2][3] He is known for building international film distribution divisions, including for Netflix, Universal and Momentum Pictures, and for his relationships with filmmakers.[4] His film production credits include the Academy Award-winning films All Quiet on the Western Front and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Since 2023, he has run Rockwood Pictures, a film and television development company he founded.[5]

David Kosse
Born
Known forFilm production
Notable workAll Quiet on the Western Front, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Career

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Early career

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Kosse's early career included a stint as Vice President of Marketing at PolyGram Filmed Entertainment.[6] In 2000, he left to set up Momentum Pictures, joining as Managing Director.[7] During his tenure, key releases included the Oscar-nominated Amélie and Lost in Translation.[8]

Universal Pictures International

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Kosse left to join Universal Pictures in 2003, and was appointed president in 2009, a role he held until 2014. He started and built Universal Pictures International into an operation based in 16 countries, grossing over $2 billion at the box office in 2014.[2] Successful film releases under his tenure as president included Mamma Mia!, the Bourne films and Les Miserables, and acquisitions included The Wolf of Wall Street.[2] Kosse left Universal in 2014 when it relocated the role of head of international theatrical operations from London to Los Angeles, opting to remain in London.[2][9]

Film4

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In November 2014, Kosse joined Film4 as director of its feature film division.[10] During his time in the role, Film4 enjoyed its most successful awards season, with a record 15 Oscar nominations in 2015 which included Carol, Room, Ex Machina, 45 Years, Youth and Amy.[11][12]

Netflix

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In March 2019, it was announced that Kosse would join Netflix as vice president of international film, and was tasked to build the service’s international film offerings in Europe, Middle East and Africa "from ground zero."[13] During his tenure, Netflix films greenlit include the Oscar-nominated filmThe Hand of God, Blood Red Sky, and All Quiet on the Western Front.[14][15] In December 2021, Kosse featured in Variety500, an index of the 500 most influential business leaders shaping the global media industry.[16] He departed Netflix in September 2022.[17]

Rockwood Pictures

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Kosse has not revealed details of his work at Rockwood Pictures, but previously indicated he intended to start a new company with a view to producing European films with wide appeal. In 2024, Rockwood Pictures entered into a development deal with Amazon Prime Video UK.[3][6]

Personal life

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Kosse has lived in London since 1997.[2]

Filmography

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As executive producer

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# Title Year
1 Wondrous Oblivion (co-executive producer) 2003
2 Things to Do Before You're 30 2005
3 The Theory of Everything 2014
4 Youth (co-producer) 2015
5 Room 2015
6 American Honey 2016
7 Una 2016
8 Free Fire 2016
9 Trespass Against Us 2016
10 The Oath 2016
11 Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (associate producer) 2016
12 Beast (short) 2017
13 How to Talk to Girls at Parties 2017
14 The Killing of a Sacred Deer 2017
15 Lean on Pete 2017
16 Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri 2017
17 Beast 2017
18 Journeyman 2017
19 American Animals 2017
20 Adrift 2018
21 Old Boys 2018
22 Fighting with My Family 2019
23 The Day Shall Come 2019
24 The Red Sea Diving Resort 2019
25 Peaky Blinders (film)[18] Upcoming

As additional crew

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# Title Year
1 All Is Lost (distribution partner: Universal Pictures International team) 2013

Thanks

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# Title Year
1 Everest (the producers and director like to thank) 2015
2 The Favourite (special thanks) 2018
3 The Red Sea Diving Resort (the producers wish to thank) 2019
4 Blood Red Sky (the producers and director like to thank) 2021

References

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  1. ^ Bylykbashi, Kaltrina (11 March 2019). "Netflix taps STX's David Kosse to head up int'l film". TBI Vision. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e Szalai, Georg (2014-08-04). "Universal Veteran David Kosse Named Head of U.K.'s Film4". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
  3. ^ a b Tartaglione, Nancy (2022-09-29). "David Kosse Exiting Netflix As Streamer Restructures European Content Biz". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
  4. ^ Pulver, Andrew (2014-08-04). "Film4 appoints David Kosse as director to succeed Tessa Ross". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-10-07. In a statement, Channel 4's chief executive David Abraham said: 'David is one of the most respected leaders in the film industry today. He has built impeccable creative relationships with British and international talent and is also steeped in knowledge and experience of changing distribution models in film.'
  5. ^ Ravindran, Manori (19 September 2024). "David Kosse's Rockwood Pictures signs development deal with Prime Video UK (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  6. ^ a b Ravindran, Manori (19 September 2024). "David Kosse's Rockwood Pictures signs development deal with Prime Video UK (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  7. ^ Sadler, Jonathan (25 March 2019). "15 years on, my memory of Momentum Pictures hasn't been erased". Magus Marketing. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
  8. ^ Szalai, Georg (2014-08-04). "Universal Veteran David Kosse Named Head of U.K.'s Film4". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
  9. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (2014-04-01). "Universal Moving Head Of International Theatrical Operations Post To LA; David Kosse Opts To Remain In London". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
  10. ^ Pulver, Andrew (2014-08-04). "Film4 appoints David Kosse as director to succeed Tessa Ross". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  11. ^ Jaafar, Ali (2016-04-01). "David Kosse Leaving Film4 To Join STX, Heading New International Division". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  12. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (14 September 2015). "David Kosse talks Film4's global ambitions and future projects". Screen Daily. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  13. ^ Ravindran, Manori (2021-09-30). "Netflix's International Film Boss David Kosse on the Streamer's Post-Pandemic Strategy (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
  14. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (2022-01-20). "Netflix's David Kosse Talks Drawing Top Talent For Streamer's European Film Push & What's On Deck". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
  15. ^ Ravindran, Manori (2021-09-30). "Netflix's International Film Boss David Kosse on the Streamer's Post-Pandemic Strategy (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
  16. ^ "Variety500". Variety. 2017-09-26. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
  17. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (29 September 2022). "David Kosse Exiting Netflix As Streamer Restructures European Content Biz". Deadline Hollywood.
  18. ^ Calnan, Ellie. "'Peaky Blinders' film starring Cillian Murphy begins production". Screen. Retrieved 2024-10-07.