- Ian Jessel was born in London and was educated at Queen Elizabeth's School in London and Brasenose College, Oxford University where he obtained both B.A. and M.A. degrees in Modern languages. Upon graduation from Oxford, Ian was selected by the Rank Organization as a management trainee in London and at Pinewood Studios. At this time Rank had a strong international presence throughout the world and Ian traveled extensively working closely with senior management in Europe and Australia, ultimately being responsible for worldwide acquisitions. After five years with Rank, Ian left to set up his own company and acquired the rights to the political thriller Z (1969) which won two awards at Cannes and two Oscars. During the 1970s. Ian was Managing Director of John Heyman's World Film Sales and Lord Grade's I.T.C. Entertainment where he was responsible for all the company's international activities including I.T.C., A.T.V. and in addition was a director of the Classic Cinemas Circuit. Among the films with which was actively involved were "The Go-Between", "The Boys from Brazil", "The Muppet Movie", "Sophie's Choice", "Return of the Pink Panther", "The Eagle Has Landed" and "On Golden Pond".
In 1981, Ian relocated from London to Los Angeles upon being appointed Vice President of International Distribution and Marketing at CBS Films. During his tenure at CBS, Ian worked closely with filmmakers of the caliber of David Brown and John Frankenheimer and traveled extensively throughout Europe and the Pacific Rim, where he was responsible for all CBS Films' international acquisitions and distribution activities. Since leaving CBS, Ian has been President and CEO of Nelson Entertainment, where he supervised all international distribution of Rob Reiner's "When Harry Met Sally", and Spelling Films where he was instrumental in acquiring 'Robert Altman''s "The Player" and distributing David Lynch's "Twin Peaks." In both these companies, Ian established all international operations and oversaw their rapid growth and success.
In 1992, Ian Jessel was appointed President of Miramax International, one of the strongest independent companies which, during Ian's tenure, acquired, produced and distributed films of class and distinction such as Robert Altman's Ready to Wear (1994), 'Chen Kaige''s "Farewell My Concubine", Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction", Woody Allen's "Bullets Over Broadway", Jane Campion's "The Piano", and 'Peter Jackson''s "Heavenly Creatures." Miramax International was created in July 1992 and under Ian's leadership in two years became the world's leading independent foreign sales company. In addition to supervising all Miramax international activities, Ian was also Executive Producer on Robert Altman's "Pret-a-Porter." Films in which Ian has been closely associated have won 16 Oscars and 4 Palmes d'Or.
After Miramax was acquired by Disney, Ian continued to focus on international distribution and co-production, and is (in 2013)in pre-production on a family adventure-comedy, entitled "Switcheroo", in partnership with Martin Brown (producer of "Moulin Rounge") and Jeff Apple (producer of "In the Line of Fire").
In 2012, Ian was appointed President of Legend3D, one of the world's leading 3D conversion companies, which is working closely with all the major studios on their 3D releases for 2014-2015.
Ian speaks French, German and Italian and is (in 2012-2013)studying Mandarin. A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Ian is also a member of the British Film Academy and the American Film marketing Association.- IMDb Mini Biography By: pmarchand@legend3d.com - Ian Jessel, born in London and educated at Oxford University, has worked closely on films directed by a prestigious array of film-makers and has a wealth of film industry experience in international production and distribution.
He is currently (2014) in pre-production on "Switcheroo" to be shot in Australia with fellow producers Martin Brown ("Moulin Rouge") and Jeff Apple ("In The Line Of Fire").
Most recently President of Legend 3D, he focused on strengthening and consolidating the company's relationships with the major film studios and spearheaded Legend's international expansion. Prior to joining Legend 3D, Jessel held multiple senior executive positions in Los Angeles and London.
As the Founding President of Miramax International he was personally involved with the acquisition, production and distribution of many films of class and distinction, including Robert Altman's "Pret-A-Porter", Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction", Woody Allen's "Bullets Over Broadway", Chen Kaige's "Farewell My Concubine" and Peter Jackson's "Heavenly Creatures". As President and CEO of Nelson Entertainment and Spelling Films International, Jessel supervised the international sales and distribution of "When Harry Met Sally", David Lynch's "Twin Peaks" and was instrumental in acquiring and distributing Robert Altman's "The Player"
Starting with Costa Gavras's film "Z" until the present day, films with which he has been closely associated have won 16 Academy Awards and 4 Palmes d'Or in Cannes.
Prior to these appointments, Jessel was Vice-President of CBS Films in Los Angeles and Managing Director of John Heyman's World Film Services and Lord Grade's ITC Entertainment in London.
An Oxford graduate in Modern Languages, Jessel is a long-standing Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the British Film Academy of Film and Television Arts.
He speaks fluent French, German and Italian and is currently studying Mandarin.- IMDb Mini Biography By: applespacetime
- SpouseThereza Ellis(February 18, 1989 - ?)
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