Heavy hitting US producer Paula Wagner, co-founder of Cruise/Wagner Productions with Tom Cruise and producer of more than 20 films, has been confirmed as a Screen Forever 2015 speaker.
Her films include the Mission: Impossible trilogy, The Last Samurai, Vanilla Sky, The Others and War of the Worlds.
Wagner worked as a prominent agent at Creative Artists Agency, representing top Hollywood talent such as Tom Cruise, Sean Penn, Oliver Stone, Val Kilmer, Demi Moore and Liam Neeson.
She launched Cruise/Wagner Productions with her former client Tom Cruise in 1993.
Over the next 13 years, Wagner and Cruise produced a wide range of films that earned numerous prestigious awards, critical praise, and more than $3 billion in worldwide box-office receipts for films such as the Mission: Impossible trilogy, The Last Samurai, Vanilla Sky, and The Others.
Wagner was the executive producer for Steven Spielberg's sci-fi disaster film War of the Worlds, which grossed $591 million globally and was nominated for three Academy Awards in 2005.
From 2006, Wagner was co-owner of United Artists Pictures, together with Cruise and MGM, and was the company's CEO until 2008.
During her tenure, Wagner orchestrated relationships with top industry talent including Oscar-winning screenwriters Christopher McQuarrie, Paul Haggis, Steven Zaillian and Guillermo del Toro.
Her additional production credits include “Five” (Lifetime) and “The Governors Awards” ceremony for AMPAS, 2013.
She is a member of the Broadway League, AMPAS, and she serves on the National Board of Directors for the Producers Guild of America, the boards of Film Forum, American Cinematheque, National Film Preservation Foundation, and the Executive Committee of the UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television.
Her significant contributions to the entertainment industry have been recognised with honours such as Premiere magazine’s Women in Hollywood Icon Award, the UCLA/Producers Guild of America Vision Award, awards from international film festivals such as Chicago and Sarasota, as well as serving as the President of the First-Time Directors Jury at the Venice Film Festival.
Currently, Wagner develops film, television and theatre through her production company, Chestnut Ridge Productions.
Her recent Broadway production credits include the Tony-nominated plays The Heiress and Mothers and Sons.
Screen Producers Australia chief executive, Matthew Deaner, said he was honoured to have such a highly respected producer participating in this year’s Screen Forever conference.
“Paula’s leadership, outstanding experience, and creative vision inspire producers and film executives around the world.”
In Conversation with Paula Wagner will take place November 17.