Daniel Battsek has been appointed President of Film at Lincoln Center (FLC), the NYC organization dedicated to the art of cinema and home to the New York Film Festival. He assumes his new role starting May 1, 2025.
Daniel H. Stern, Chair of the FLC Board of Directors, said: “Daniel Battsek’s extensive leadership experience, his deep connections within the global film community, and his clear passion for cinema and our mission make him the ideal fit to lead Film at Lincoln Center––especially in this time of great change in the film ecosystem. After a comprehensive international search conducted by a seven-person Board committee with recruiting firm Stanton Chase, Daniel distinguished himself among a highly qualified pool of candidates, emerging as the clear and unanimous choice for this position. After two years of record-breaking attendance at the New York Film Festival, widespread acclaim for its year-round initiatives, and a new multiyear partnership with Rolex––a long-standing supporter of excellence in the cinematic arts––FLC has the potential to expand its reach, programming, and brand in a rapidly evolving film landscape, both domestically and internationally. We are excited to welcome Daniel and eager to support his leadership in charting a bold future for Film at Lincoln Center.”
“I am very honored to be selected to lead Film at Lincoln Center, a globally recognized cornerstone of film culture,” stated Battsek. “My goal is to bring the knowledge and experience I’ve gained throughout my career in the film industry to support and elevate FLC’s programming, mission, and brand. Having long admired FLC as a vital New York cultural institution, I am immensely proud to take the helm at such an exciting moment for cinema.”
Battsek joins FLC with more than three decades of leadership experience across multiple renowned companies. From 2016 to 2024, as Director and later Chairman of Film4, Battsek guided the London-based studio through a transformative period, overseeing the production of critically acclaimed films, including Oscar and BAFTA winners such as The Zone of Interest, Poor Things, All of Us Strangers, The Banshees of Inisherin, and The Favourite. Since 2018, Battsek has served as Chairman of Film London, the agency supporting the capital’s film and screen industries, further solidifying his leadership in the field.
Battsek also served as President of National Geographic Films, where he acquired and developed high-profile projects, including the Oscar-nominated documentary Restrepo, and National Geographic–branded large-screen and IMAX 3D films. In 2005, Battsek became President of Filmed Entertainment at Miramax, where he led the company for five years. During his time there, he greenlit and/or acquired major award-winning projects such as The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and Oscar-winning films The Queen, No Country for Old Men, and There Will Be Blood.
From 1991 to 2005, Battsek served as EVP and Managing Director of U.K. Distribution and European Production & Acquisitions at Buena Vista International, U.K. In this role, he oversaw the distribution of 18–25 films annually from Walt Disney Studios and its partners, including Pixar and Miramax. He also established a comedy production label in 2001, which financed and produced successful films, including Calendar Girls and Kinky Boots.