Mr. Richard Fay, overall industry good guy, will receive the inaugural ShowEast “Legend” Award on Wednesday, October 23rd as part of the ShowEast Rise & Shine Breakfast Program hosted by Coca-Cola & P3 at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel.
The ShowEast Legend Award was created to recognize an individual that has led by example throughout the course of their career.
“This award celebrates a lifetime of Richie’s achievements, and rather than just giving him the same ole tribute we thought it would be fun to “ROAST” him in a unique way” stated Andrew Sunshine, President of Film Expo Group. “A trailblazer who has innovated exhibition and distribution, he has left an indelible mark on the industry as a leader while his many philanthropic efforts will inspire future generations,” continued Sunshine.
An industry veteran of 53 years, Richard Fay has helped organize and reorganize existing and startup companies including AMC Theatres, Summit Entertainment, Lionsgate Films, Broad Green Pictures, and Global Road Entertainment. His expertise in recruiting and hiring executives in both Distribution and Exhibition, along with his ability to combine existing talent with those he has recruited, has been a proven formula for success.
Richie began his career as an assistant print booker at WB Pictures in 1971. He was also a key member of the Green Light committee for approving films acquired and produced. Richie also spent a decade at AMC Theatres as President of Film & Marketing as the company charged into the megaplex era, and also held executive positions at Sony, United Artists Theaters, United Artist Pictures, and Loews Theatres.
At Global Road, Richie teamed with his former Lionsgate/Summit boss Rob Friedman, and was tasked with not only reorganizing the Domestic Film Distribution department but also with improving film terms while strengthening existing relationships with exhibition. Richie also embraced the new digital and internet marketing capabilities of the major circuits.
Rob and Richie organized and built the Summit Entertainment domestic distribution team and were responsible for selling and marketing the hugely successful “Twilight” series as well such hits as “RED,” “Perks of Being a Wallflower” and Oscar winner “The Hurt Locker.”
Richie was president of Domestic Distribution at Lionsgate Films, helping them achieve two successive $1billion+ years and helped make Lionsgate the “6th major studio” in the film industry, with such hits as “Hunger Games,” “Divergent,” “Sicario” and many other financially successful titles.
Richie Fay formed his own consulting company, DeMazo Film Consultants, working with independent film distribution companies, as well as other film related companies. He then joined Kevin Mitchell & Scott Kennedy to form ShowBiz Direct Distribution. Their most recent release, “Reagan” opened on August 30th in over 2700 locations and is well on its way to grossing $30+ million. With other titles either in development or ready for distribution, SBD has positioned itself as the distributor of choice for filmmakers looking to bridge the gap between exhibition and the creative community of filmmakers.
While covering the business front so thoroughly over the years, Fay has hardly forgotten the philanthropic front. He has received many awards for his charitable work including the 1995 ShowEast Kodak Reel Award, the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens 1997 Humanitarian Award, the 2001 Al Shapiro Distinguished Service Award, 2012 Salah Hassanein Humanitarian Award, 2014 Variety Club Texan of the Year, the Variety of Southern California 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the ShowEast Hall of Fame ” class of 2015.” He is the CFO of his late daughter’s Options for Life Foundation and board member and former Secretary of the Will Rogers Institute.
About Film Expo Group
The Film Expo Group is the premier organizer of networking events in the motion picture industry. The Film Expo Group produces ShowEast, held in Miami; CineEurope, held in Barcelona; and CineAsia, held in Bangkok