Warner Bros. is starting a new contemporary film label led by former Neon executive Christian Parkes, along with colleagues Jason Wald and Spener Collantes. The initiative, spearheaded by Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, focuses on smartly budgeted theatrical releases targeting younger audiences. It aims to discover new filmmakers and diversify offerings beyond blockbusters.
Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group co-chairs Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy are launching a new contemporary film label, bringing on Christian Parkes as leader. Parkes, Neon's former Chief Marketing Officer known for campaigns on Longlegs and Parasite, is joining with Jason Wald, who will serve as Head of Acquisitions & Production, and Spener Collantes as VP, Marketing & Creative. Wald previously held the EVP role in Acquisitions & Production at Neon, while Collantes was VP of Creative Marketing there.
The label emphasizes lower-cost films for global theatrical release, targeting digital natives and Gen Z with zeitgeist-driven content through efficient, digitally focused marketing. It will handle independently made or acquired projects, as well as in-house developments, releasing two to three titles annually—unlike the broader output of past Warner labels like Warner Independent and Picturehouse.
This venture predates Warner Bros. Discovery's planned split and Netflix's bid to acquire its motion picture, TV production, and HBO Max assets. David Zaslav, De Luca, and Abdy identified an opportunity to boost the theatrical market with affordably priced films and innovative promotions. The label supports Warner Bros. Discovery's Q3 2025 shareholder strategy, which includes one-to-two tentpoles, one-to-two DC Studios films, three-to-four New Line releases, one-to-two animations, and select moderately budgeted originals.
De Luca and Abdy have a track record of supporting emerging filmmakers, positioning this label to nurture voices akin to Ryan Coogler, Paul Thomas Anderson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Emerald Fennell, and Alejandro G. Iñárritu, who began in independents. The official name is expected by Sundance next month.
Amid concerns over Netflix potentially shortening theatrical windows post-acquisition, co-CEO Ted Sarandos has pledged commitment to Warner Bros. theatrical titles, viewing it as a chance for Netflix to expand cinematically. A Parrot Analytics analysis notes that 'movies deliver disproportionately high engagement relative to the volume of content hours they represent,' countering narratives of their decline and highlighting their role in reducing streamer churn.
