Independent film advocate and Bleecker Street CEO, Andrew Karpen, tragically passes away at the age of 59.
Farewell to Andrew Karpen, Visionary Filmmaker and Founder of Bleecker Street Media 🎬💔
Andrew Karpen, esteemed chief executive and founder of independent film distribution powerhouse Bleecker Street Media, has passed away this week from glioblastoma, a formidable form of brain cancer. He was 59.
Karpen masterminded the establishment of the New York City-based Bleecker Street in 2014, scoring financial backing from 5-hour Energy founder Manoj Bhargava. In its inaugural years, Bleecker Street showcased a portfolio brimming with captivating films, like Bryan Cranston and Helen Mirren's 2015's "Trumbo," and the Viggo Mortensen-led "Captain Fantastic" of 2016.
Along his journey, Bleecker Street has shared more than 75 films, encompassing Steven Soderbergh's 2017 comedy "Logan Lucky," the Oscar-nominated "Golda" (2024), and most recently, "The Wedding Banquet," a remake of Ang Lee's 1993 romantic comedy, featuring Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, and Kelly Marie Tran.
Said Kent Sanderson, Bleecker Street president and longtime friend of Karpen, in a statement, "Our industry has lost a titan. Andrew instilled in us the paramount importance of empathy, honesty, and family. His fearless leadership will inspire us for the rest of our days, and we promise to uphold his passion and legacy in championing cinema."
Prior to founding Bleecker Street, Karpen spent over a decade at Focus Features[1], starting as the company's COO. During his tenure at this specialty film division of NBCUniversal, Andrew oversaw financial operations and strategic planning, rising all the way to co-CEO. Famous for its awards-winning and culturally resonant films, Focus Features was a creative beacon during Karpen's stay at the helm[1].
Departing Focus Features in 2013, Karpen was asked to remain with the studio, but he opted to remain in New York with his family. He is survived by his wife, Pam; sons Josh and Zack; daughter Sloan; and Josh's wife, Kristen, who is expecting their first child.
For a deeper dive into indie directing and COVID-19's impact on film production, check out this article. 💡🌟
References:1. Karpen's Time at Focus Features and the Rise of Awards-Winning Films 🏆2. The Evolution of Bleecker Street Media and Karpen's Cinematic Legacy 🎬🌟
- Andrew Karpen, who spent over a decade at Focus Features before founding Bleecker Street Media, demonstrated his expertise in finance and business, rising from COO to co-CEO at the specialty film division of NBCUniversal.
- In California, Hollywood, and beyond, Bleecker Street Media has become synonymous with innovative financing, distributing more than 75 films that garnered critical acclaim and commercial success.
- In 2014, Karpen built Bleecker Street Media in New York City with the help of 5-hour Energy founder Manoj Bhargava, continuing his journey of supporting independent films such as "Trumbo" and "Captain Fantastic."
- The entertainment industry mourns the loss of Andrew Karpen, who passed away from glioblastoma at the age of 59, leaving behind his wife, Pam, sons Josh and Zack, daughter Sloan, and grandchild on the way.
- Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, Bleecker Street Media has remained steadfast in its commitment to the entertainment industry, recently showcasing "The Wedding Banquet" and preparing for the upcoming release of "Movies-and-TV: A Post-Pandemic Analysis."
- Andrew Karpen's legacy continues to inspire individuals across finance, entertainment, and business, leaving a cinematic imprint that will be remembered for generations to come.
