EXCLUSIVE: Melbourne-based production company Forte Corp Pictures has appointed former Matchbox Pictures exec Brendan Campbell as head of production.
In his new role, Campbell will support the company’s current development slate as well as build its international arm and expand its work further into physical production services in Australia.
Campbell was previously responsible for providing production services at recently shuttered Matchbox Pictures, looking after projects such as NBCUniversal’s Young Rock starring Dwayne Johnson, Joe vs. Carole, Apples Never Fall, La Brea, and most recently the critically-acclaimed drama All Her Fault starring Sarah Snook, Jake Lacy, Dakota Fanning, and Michael Peña.
NBCUniversal-owned Sydney, Melbourne and Singapore company Matchbox Pictures closed down in February, with the loss of 30 jobs after the latter, after Universal International Studios opted to change its way of operating in the territory.
Established in 2008, Forte Corp Pictures has a track record of leveraging Australian production incentives and global finance to work with both homegrown and international productions, with past credits including Robbie Williams’ biopic Better Man and Ron Howard’s Eden, starring Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Sydney Sweeney and Vanessa Kirby.
Most recently, the company completed production on Kornél Mundruczó’s Place to Be starring Ellen Burstyn and Taika Waititi, which will premiere Out of Competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival this September.
“I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to join Forte Corp Pictures at such a transformative moment in its growth trajectory, and I look forward to getting my teeth into its ambitious slate of projects while helping expand the company’s production capabilities in Australia and internationally,” said Campbell.
“Bringing someone of Brendan’s caliber to Forte Corp is an exciting milestone for us,” said Craig McMahon, CEO of Forte Corp Pictures.
“His track record in delivering world-class productions in Australia speaks for itself. As we scale our production services arm and accelerate our development slate, Brendan’s deep expertise will be instrumental.”
He added that Campbell’s experience working on big budget, high-profile projects would be brought to bear both in Forte Corp’s expanding operational footprint, and its sister company Elevate Production Finance, Australia’s leading film and TV financier.
