Lianne Halfon will use her producing experience to teach and train the next generation of filmmakers. The American Film Institute (AFI) announced via press release that the veteran producer is AFI Conservatory’s new Producing Discipline Head. She’s succeeding Neil Canton, who recently retired after 14 years at the Conservatory.
The Producing Discipline is one of AFI Conservatory’s six two-year MFA programs, which also include Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Production Design, and Screenwriting.
“Lianne brings a wealth of experience, taste, and knowledge to the AFI Conservatory, and will no doubt take this pioneering program to the next level — and into the future,” stated AFI Conservatory Dean Richard N. Gladstein.
Halfon co-founded production company Mr. Mudd in 1998. “Juno,” The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” and “Ghost World” are among Mr. Mudd’s films. Alongside Smith and Mason Novick, Halfon received Oscar and PGA nods for producing “Juno.” She won Independent Spirit Awards for “Juno” and “Perks” in 2008 and 2013, respectively, and a 2010 News & Documentary Emmy for child migrant doc “Which Way Home.” According to IMDb, the father-son drama “Empress of Serenity” is next on her producing slate.
“I think its going to take much more work — and it has to be done by women,” Halfon has said of the fight for equality in Hollywood. “Women my age [Halfon is about to turn 65] are often loath to discuss sexism, as though it in some way discredits their success. But the sexism — or, maybe gender bias is more appropriate — is so pervasive. In a business that is already deeply competitive and hierarchical, it’s hard to address. Successful women who have made it into the club don’t want to abdicate their membership by a complaint. But terming it a complaint or criticism makes it seem like a small adjustment is needed. And that’s not so — it is such sweeping change that is needed.”
Graduates of AFI Conservatory’s Producing Discipline include Julie Dash, (“Daughters of the Dust”), Anne Garefino (“South Park”), Liz Hannah (“The Post”), and Beatriz Sequeira (“Get Out”).
