Sandy Lieberson - Film London Chairman

CV

Lieberson was born and bred in east Los Angeles - "James Ellroy territory, nothing to do with Hollywood". As a young man he joined the navy, and when he returned he saw a school friend driving a Cadillac with a beautiful blonde in tow. Lieberson asked what business he was in, and found out he was an agent. Lieberson promptly became an agent himself - repping actors, writers and directors. In a colourful career impossible to summarise here, he spent a two and a half year sojourn in Italy in the early 60s, worked as producer on European productions including Performance and Terry Gilliam's Jabberwocky, and held senior executive postings for Fox and MGM before establishing the Producing course for the National Film and Television School. He was also a co-ordinator on last year's Berlin Talent Campus. He has now been appointed as the chairman of Film London, a role that has earned him the nickname of "film tsar".

Do you mind being called a Film Tsar?

I've been called a lot of things in my time and Film Tsar is probably one of the least offensive, so I don't mind. My parents were immigrants to the US from the Ukraine [smiles] but I doubt if that's got anything to do with it.

What is Film London?

It's a new organisation which will incorporate and absorb the London Film Commission and the London Film & Video Development Agency. All the other parts of the UK have distinct regional screen agencies but London, where 80% of the filming in the UK takes place, is just coming online with Film London.

What is Film London's remit?

The remit falls into four parts. Film-making in London, training, supporting exhibition and supporting film culture. We're funded by The Film Council, the London Development Agency and will work closely with the GLA and the Mayor's Office.