Fox Searchlight has hired Anikah McLaren as senior VP of production, TheWrap has exclusively learned.
McLaren joins Fox Searchlight after 12 years at NBC Universal and Universal Pictures, and she’ll report to president of production Claudia Lewis. Her hiring takes effect on Sept. 1
“Anikah’s intelligence, background and breadth of knowledge across all genres make her a perfect fit for our eclectic taste and commitment to stellar filmmaking,” said Lewis. “We are thrilled to welcome her to Searchlight.”
“I am incredibly excited to join the Fox Searchlight team, whom I’ve always admired for making magnificent films,” added McLaren. “I look forward to collaborating with them and continuing their tradition of working with dynamic and exceptional filmmakers.”
McLaren most recently served as VP of production and development at Universal Pictures, where she oversaw a wide array of films including “Lone Survivor,” “Dracula Untold” and “The Best Man Holiday.” She also oversaw the Blumhouse account and most recently worked on “Unfriended” and “The Visit.”
Prior to becoming a VP, she was a junior executive at the company and played an instrumental role in “The Bourne Legacy,” “Mama” and “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” among other films. Recently, McLaren was in pre-production on the next chapter of the Bourne franchise and “The Purge 3,” and oversaw 15 projects in development. In addition to her professional duties, she sits on the Executive Panel for the 2014-2015 AFI Directing Workshop for Women.
Before rising through the ranks at Universal, McLaren was the NY-based manager of acquisitions at Universal’s specialty label Focus Features, where she was responsible for acquiring films for domestic and international territories. She also acted as assistant to co-chairman and filmmaker James Schamus.
After graduating from George Washington University in 1998, McLaren worked in the editorial division of St. Martin’s Press and in product development at Bertlesmann’s e-commerce venture, bol.com.