Kino Lorber signs former AMC Networks COO Ed Carroll and former IFC Films head Lisa Schwartz to C-suite roles

A Growing Cinema Lorber recruited two former AMC Networks veterans to key positions, installing Ed Carroll as chief strategy officer and Lisa Schwartz as chief revenue officer.

The two will work with CEO Richard Lorber and COO Martha Benyam to shape the company’s content and distribution efforts. In addition to its longstanding presence in the specialty film business, Kino Lorber made a significant streaming acquisition last year by acquiring international TV specialist MHz Networks.

Carroll left AMC Networks in 2021 after 34 years with the company, including a long stint as COO. In addition to orchestrating M&A events such as the acquisition of RLJ/Acorn and its equity investment in BBC America, he oversaw programs such as crazy men, break bad, The living dead, Portlandia and kill Eve. AMC Networks’ niche streaming push through outlets like Acorn, Sundance Now, IFC Unlimited and Shudder was another Carroll initiative. And when Bravo was part of AMC Networks’ previous incarnation, Rainbow Media, Carroll served as the network’s president, overseeing arts and culture programming such as In the actor’s studio.

Schwartz’s 20-year tenure at AMC Networks ended with a stint as head of IFC Films. She managed the distribution strategies for a number of Oscar-nominated films and documentaries, including childhood; Two days, one night; 45 years; and Find Vivian Maier. She also led the development and launch of IFC Films Unlimited, the subscription streaming channel, and the division’s first AVOD streaming channel, IFC Films Pick.

“Promoting sought-after content and helping it find a wide audience has been the most enjoyable and fulfilling part of my career,” said Carroll. “Richard Lorber and his team have built a company synonymous with quality storytelling, and I look forward to building on that success.”

Schwartz declared himself a “longtime admirer” of Kino Lorber. “I look forward to bringing their high-quality, diverse new releases and extensive catalog films to a passionate, discerning audience by expanding access to both digital and traditional distribution platforms,” she said. “I look forward to working with Richard, Ed and Martha to continue to grow the business.”

A notable player in independent art house distribution for nearly four decades, Kino Lorber boasts a library of over 4,000 titles. It releases 30 theatrical films a year under the Kino Lorber, Kino Repertory and Alive Mind Cinema banners and has received seven Oscar nominations in 10 years. The company handles releases on various media platforms for Zeitgeist Films, Milestone Films, Cohen Media Group, Greenwich Entertainment, Artsploitation, Palisades Tartan, Menemsha Films, Raro Video and others. It operates the transactional VOD store Kino Now, the virtual cinema with Kino Marquee and the free ad-supported streaming channel Kino Cult.

“Ed and Lisa are a powerful combination and I am excited to welcome them both to Kino Lorber’s C-Suite,” said Lorber. “Following our acquisition of streaming service MHz Choice, now is the perfect time for them to join as we continue to innovate our distribution strategies to bring sought-after international film and television content to audiences across North America . Like me, they value quality and finding and sharing artistically challenging stories that bridge different genres.”