Veteran producer Jim Burke has been named President of Production at Focus Features, the company announced Wednesday.
“I have known Jim for many years and not only does he have a tremendous talent for both developing and producing films, he’s also a passionate advocate for filmmaking talent,” said Focus Features CEO Peter Schlessel in a statement. “Jim’s breadth of experience is the perfect fit to lead our production efforts as we continue to grow the Focus Features brand with a mix of both specialty films and wide releases.”
Additionally, current Focus Features Senior Vice President of Production, Josh McLaughlin, has been promoted to Executive Vice President. He will report to Burke.
Burke’s film and television career spans several genres and formats from prestige pictures to wide release films and television programming. Most recently he produced the Golden Globe winning feature “The Descendants,” which was also nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture; and a win for Best Adapted Screenplay. Burke also produced films including “Cedar Rapids” and “The Savages.” In 2004, Burke created the production company Ad Hominem along with Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor.
McLaughlin has been with the company since 2012 where he joined as Senior Vice President. Prior to that he held the posts of Executive Vice President at Chernin Entertainment and as Executive Vice President and Co-Head of the motion picture division of The Mark Gordon Company.