Netflix announced on Monday that it has hired former STX Entertainment exec David Kosse to lead the streamer’s international team as the new vice president of international film.
Kosse, who will report directly to Netflix’s head of film Scott Stuber, will lead a team out of Netflix’s London offices.
In this newly created position, Kosse will oversee all of international film production and acquisitions with a focus on making and acquiring significant non-English language films that can travel around the world.
“By making international content available globally on such a large scale, Netflix is shattering cultural boundaries in a way no other company has. And, what a team to do it with — I’m thrilled to work with Scott again and to work with the incredible team he has assembled,” Kosse said in a statement. “Together, we will continue the momentum, uncover more amazing international and emerging storytellers, and inspire new conversations around the world.”
Kosse joins Netflix from STX Entertainment, where he launched the international division and established the company’s distributions operations in the U.K. He was responsible for developing “The Favourite,” “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri,” “Ex Machina,” “Fighting with my Family,” and “Adrift” amongst others. Prior to STX, Kosse was at Film4 and Universal Pictures International.
STX Entertainment announced on Monday that it had tapped John Friedberg to succeed Kosse.
In addition to Kosse, Netflix made a couple other key moves in its international ranks. In an expanded role, Funa Maduka, director of international film and acquisitions, will manage a growing slate of projects across development and production, while continuing to acquire non-English language films.
Maduka is responsible for the acquisitions of Academy Award-nominee “On Body and Soul,” Golden Globes-nominee “Divines,” the Cannes Film Festival award winner and Spirit Awards nominee “Happy as Lazzaro,” and Sundance award winner “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.” She previously worked at Participant Media managing campaigns around original content.
Teresa Moneo also joins the company as director of international film, bringing her expertise and talent relationships to help build Netflix’s growing international film slate. Moneo joins Netflix from Ola Films, where she developed film and TV projects.
Moneo was a longtime executive at Focus Features, where she oversaw production of a slate of projects from the UK, as well as a consultant for Pathe Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox. She began her career as an executive at Miramax Films. She is known for acquiring a number of internationally successful foreign-language films including “Life is Beautiful,” “Central Station,” “Strawberry and Chocolate” and “Shall We Dance.”
“David has spent his career launching and building international film divisions. With the majority of our audience outside the US, it’s the right time for us to be building our international film presence,” Stuber said in a statement. “Having worked with David for years at Universal, I know there’s no one better suited for this role. David will be joined by Funa Maduka, whose eye for foreign cinema has contributed greatly to our celebrated international slate, and Teresa Moneo, who has an incredible acquisition and production track record and will be a great addition to Netflix. I’m incredibly excited to see what this team will do.”