Scott Foundas jumps from film critic to film exec

Scott Foundas, the chief film critic for Variety, is leaving the business to join Amazon Studios as a film acquisitions and development executive. Foundas returned to Variety in 2013. He previously had been the film critic for LA Weekly and at the Village Voice. He began his career writing for Variety.

The trade covers his departure:

With his appointment effective Aug. 17, he will relocate from New York to Los Angeles to work for Amazon’s recently appointed film chief Ted Hope as the streaming service forges into the feature production and acquisitions business.

“We are going to miss Scott tremendously,” said Variety co-editor-in-chief Claudia Eller. “He has contributed significantly to Variety’s role as an authoritative voice in film criticism. He applied his smarts, insights and exquisite prose to every review he wrote, whether it was an obscure arthouse picture or big Hollywood blockbuster…”

Considered one of the top film critics of his generation, Foundas is known for his incisive reviews and vast knowledge of cinema history. A prolific writer, he also penned cover stories and feature stories for Variety’s magazine on such iconic filmmakers as Clint Eastwood, Ridley Scott, George Miller, Roman Polanski and Woody Allen.

Foundas and some colleague tweets:

Sad to be leaving my big, wonderful @Variety family, but very excited to be joining the team at @Amazon_Studios. http://t.co/2bUZJRSJnq

— Scott Foundas (@foundasonfilm) July 24, 2015

My very best wishes to a fine colleague - Variety Chief Film Critic Scott Foundas To Exit for Amazon Studios http://t.co/HkjZrTtcL2

— Dave McNary (@Variety_DMcNary) July 24, 2015

Sad to see him go, but excited about inside track on free shipping>Variety's Scott Foundas To Exit for Amazon Studios http://t.co/ci0U7mV6js

— Brian Lowry (@blowryontv) July 23, 2015