After serving as the president of Fox International Productions, Sanford Panitch is back working alongside Tom Rothman again, as Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton has named him the studio’s new president of international film and television, the company announced Monday.
Sony created the position for Panitch, who report directly to Lynton, since the job straddles both film and TV. Panitch worked for Rothman for 20 years, and they’ll work together to build a slate of local language and English-speaking films made for international audiences. He’ll also work with Sony TV’s on project that not only appeal to their respective territories or regions but have potential for release all over the world.
“Sanford is a talented and strategic senior executive with an exceptional career working with a wide range of international productions and talent,” said Lynton. “There is tremendous growth potential in the international and local language markets, and we are thrilled to have someone with Sanford’s experience join our team.”
Panitch will oversee global film and television co-productions as well as local language film and television productions. In international television, he will coordinate with Andrea Wong, president of international production at Sony Pictures Television, who will continue with all her responsibilities supervising international television production.
“I’m honored to join the SPE team at this pivotal moment in the studio’s history,” said Panitch. “I am eternally grateful for my years at Fox working with Jim and all my long time colleagues. This new role comes at a time of unprecedented change in the international marketplace especially in television, it’s a wonderful and unique opportunity to work with Steve Mosko, his outstanding organization and again with my friend Tom Rothman.
Panitch joins SPE following a successful tenure at Fox. As the founding president of Fox International Productions, he oversaw all local production activities in 12 territories around the globe in Latin America, Europe, India and China. Fox International Productions is considered the most successful international film production division in the industry grossing more than $900M in global box office since its inception six years ago.
Before establishing the division, Panitch served as president of filmed entertainment at New Regency and executive VP of production at 20th Century Fox.