Film4 has appointed Cate Kane as its new senior commissioning executive, effective January 2026. Kane will be part of the creative team reporting directly to Farhana Bhula, the director of Film4, and will collaborate closely with fellow senior commissioning executive David Kimbangi. This strategic addition comes as Film4 aims to enhance its slate of productions.
Before joining Film4, Kane served as co-head of global acquisitions at Mubi since 2020. During her tenure, she successfully acquired critically acclaimed titles such as “Aftersun,” “The Substance,” “My Father’s Shadow,” and “The Worst Person in the World.” Her extensive experience also includes a nine-year stint as head of acquisitions at Curzon Film, as well as roles at BBC Film, Casarotto Ramsay, and Content Film.
At Film4, Kane is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s production slate. She will work closely with filmmakers throughout the development and production processes. Reflecting on her new position, Kane expressed enthusiasm about joining the team, stating, “Having collaborated with Film4 for many years, I’m over the moon to now join Farhana’s brilliant team and help build on their extraordinary slate. Film4 has always been the creative home for filmmakers that have inspired me, and I can’t wait to champion both established and emerging voices for audiences everywhere.”
Bhula praised Kane’s appointment, calling her “an exceptional creative force” with a proven track record. She noted, “Cate’s instincts, track record, and vision perfectly align with the next chapter of Film4. She has proven to be fearless in backing some of the most exciting new voices from the U.K. and is deeply committed to championing work that resonates with global audiences.”
Film4 recently celebrated its support for four directorial debut films set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2026. These include Molly Manners’s “Extra Geography,” Rafael Manuel’s “Filipiñana,” Olive Nwoso’s “Lady,” and Joanna Natasegara’s “The Disciple.” The production slate also features notable titles such as Alice Birch’s “Sweetsick,” starring Cate Blanchett, Jonathan Schey’s “Everybody Wants To F*ck Me,” featuring Taron Egerton, Andrew Haigh’s “A Long Winter,” and Bijan Sheibani’s “The Arrival.”
Kane’s appointment is seen as a significant step for Film4 as it continues to support innovative storytelling and nurture talent within the film industry.
