Laurie May Departing As Co-President Of Elevation Pictures

Laurie May is stepping down as co-president of Canadian indie distribution company Elevation Pictures.

Founded in 2013 during the Toronto Film Festival by Black Bear’s Teddy Schwarzman, Elevation has handled the Canadian release of such movies as Oscar-winning The Imitation Game, Room, Moonlight, Everything Everywhere All at Once and the recent A24 successes Backrooms and Marty Supreme.

The company recently released PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie, a co-production of Canada-based Spin Master and Paramount. The pic has grossed north of $70 million worldwide.

Elevation Pictures has 14 films at the 51st TIFF including Neon’s Cannes Palme D’or winner Fjord, All of a Sudden, and A24’s The Debut and Club Kid.

“From founding Elevation and working with our team to building it to the top distribution company in Canada, I am excited to now move forward and pursue my other passions,” May said Tuesday.

Schwarzman, a representative of Elevation’s board of directors and CEO of Elevation’s investor Black Bear, stated, “The entire Elevation team recognizes and appreciates Laurie’s substantial contributions to Elevation’s creation, growth and success. Her vision, commitment and entrepreneurial leadership have been instrumental in building the company to what it is today, and we cannot thank her enough for the past 13 years.”

May received the Women in Film and Television Outstanding Achievement Award in 2010 and acted as a mentor for WIFT.