Pressman Film

Founded in 1969 by producer Edward R. Pressman,  Pressman Film has produced more than 100 world-class motion pictures and helped launch the careers of several of the most prominent figures in the movie industry. The company focuses on supporting artists in creating producing bold, daring, and iconic films that celebrate the spirit of independent cinema.

Located in Los Angeles and led by Ed’s son, producer Sam Pressman, Pressman Film continues a long tradition of developing strong relationships with emerging and established directors, writers, and actors by empowering these filmmakers to tell thought-provoking stories that inspire, challenge, and entertain audiences around the globe.

Known for a distinct approach to the industry, the Pressman Team plays a significant production role in both the independent and studio film markets.

Pressman Team

  • Sam is combining his long-standing relationships with investors, talent, and industry insiders with his extensive knowledge of independent financing to lead the company into an exciting era of continued growth and success. Immersed in the motion picture business from a young age, he is humbled and emboldened by the responsibility of carrying the mantle of his family’s 50 years in filmmaking. Before assuming the role of CEO, Sam worked under his father Ed Pressman on Werner Herzog’s BAD LIEUTENANT, Matt Brown’s THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY, Barry Levinson’s PATERNO—and alongside Ed on Keith Maitland’s DEAR MR BRODY, Charlotte Colbert’s SHE WILL, Mary Harron’s DALILAND, Marshmallow Laser Feast’s groundbreaking virtual reality experience EVOLVER, and Rupert Sander’s upcoming reboot of THE CROW. With a deep reverence for his father’s contributions to independent cinema and a firm commitment to carrying on the Pressman penchant for storytelling, Sam approaches his role as producer with a sense of humility and a fierce determination to create films that honor the company’s legacy.

Sam Pressman

  • Paula oversees all aspects of the company, including production, finance, distribution, merchandising, corporate strategy and business affairs. A seasoned media and entertainment senior executive, she has broad and ranging skills and experience and deep relationships in Hollywood, Australia and internationally. Prior to Pressman Film she worked as an entertainment attorney with the law firm Blake Dawson Waldron ( now Ashursts), was In-House General Counsel for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s company, The Really Useful Co, Managing Director of the financial firm Ignite Capital Partners, consulting to many media and entertainment clients, and a producer for Stratus Film Company (owned by veteran producers Mark Gordon and Bob Yari.) Paula also has served as an arbitrator for bond company, Film Finances, and has produced and executive produced TV and Film, including the upcoming reboot of The CROW starring Bill Skarsgard, DALILAND starring Sir Ben Kingsley, WHERE ESKIMOS LIVE starring the late Bob Hoskins, BLACK LIMOUSINE starring David Arquette and Bijou Philips, the VR experience EVOLVER, selected to compete in the Cannes Immersive Competition in 2024 and narrated by Cate Blanchett and the late-night reality TV series CLUBBIN which ran for two seasons on the WB Network in the USA. Paula also has extensive leadership and governance experience and skills having served on several corporate and non profit boards throughout her 30 year career. She holds double degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from The University of Sydney. 

Paula Paizes

  • Max is a seasoned entertainment industry professional with years of experience in development and production. As the Director of Development at Pressman Films, he is responsible for identifying and acquiring projects that align with the company's vision and ethos. Max has worked on a range of film and television projects, including scripted features, documentaries, and unscripted television programming. He produced FEAR AND LOATHING IN ASPEN directed by Bobby Kennedy III and worked in television on the CW’s JANE THE VIRGIN and Adult Swim’s DREAM CORP LLC. Prior to joining Pressman Films, he worked at several other production companies and studios, honing his skills in script analysis, project development, and deal-making. His passion for storytelling and eye for emerging talent make him a valuable asset to the Pressman team.

Max Loeb

  • Annie contributes to the Company’s publicity and marketing strategies and to the development of various projects on the Company’s slate. She co-edited the promotional book, Wall Street: The Collector’s Edition, which was printed by Newmarket Press in conjunction with the release of Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. Annie also manages the collection of 35mm prints of the 80 plus Pressman produced films to be archived in the “Pressman Collection” at the Academy Film Archive. Annie received her B.A. in Theatre Studies from the University of Colorado and attended The American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco and the National Theater Institute, a part of the Eugene O’Neill Center for Performing Art in Waterford, CT.

Annie Pressman

Edward R. Pressman

Ed Pressman forged a reputation of international renown marked by originality and eclecticism throughout his maverick career, and brought numerous emerging filmmakers together with projects that put them firmly on the map.

Founder & Chairman

  • Pressman’s legacy as a legendary filmmaker was cemented with the international recognition of the French Cinematheque, which presented a 1989 retrospective of his films and awarded him the esteemed Chevalier Des Arts et Letters medal. He’s also received tributes from The National Film Theatre in London, New York’s Museum of Modern Art, the Pacific Film Archives and the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Cinematék. In 2003, Pressman was honored with the IFP Gotham Award for lifetime achievement. In May 2010, Pressman was among twelve notable filmmakers honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences at their “Magnificent Collections” event at which the Academy announced the archiving of Pressman’s films and papers.

  • Pressman’s specialty was discovering new talent and bringing new experiences to motion picture audiences. He was known for fostering the careers of young and inspired filmmakers. Director Brian De Palma showed off his early mastery of suspense in the Pressman productions Sisters and Phantom of the Paradise, and Terrence Malick’s visual genius was first brought to the screen in Pressman’s Badlands. Pressman gave Jason Reitman his directorial debut with Thank You for Smoking, and Oliver Stone his major directorial debut with The Hand then produced his Academy Award-winning Wall Street and Talk Radio. With Stone, Pressman produced Kathryn Bigelow’s early film, the thriller, Blue Steel starring Jamie Lee Curtis. He is responsible for giving Alex Proyas his directorial debut with The Crow, Sylvester Stallone his with Paradise Alley, and David Byrne’s his with True Stories. In John Milius’ Conan the Barbarian, Pressman gave Arnold Schwarzenegger his first starring role. Pressman showcased David Gordon Green’s talents in one of his early films, Undertow, as he did with Sam Raimi in his early film Crimewave written by the Coen brothers. He produced documentarian James Marsh’s first narrative feature The King starring Gael Garcia Bernal and William Hurt. Pressman’s international productions include: Wolfgang Petersen’s Das Boot; the Taviani brothers’ Good Morning, Babylon, Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s Despair, David Hare’s Paris by Night; Fred Schepisi’s Plenty starring Meryl Streep; Alex Cox’s Walker starring Ed Harris; Bo Widerberg’s Victoria; and Werner Herzog’s Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans with Nicholas Cage.

  • Pressman attended New York’s Fieldston School and then went on to graduate with honors from Stanford University with a B.A. in Philosophy. He pursued graduate studies at the London School of Economics.