The Locarno Film Festival’s Premio Raimondo Rezzonico for Best Independent Producer on the international scene will be awarded to Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions, a pivotal figure behind hits such as Whiplash (Damien Chazelle, 2014) and BlacKkKlansman (Spike Lee, 2018).
The tribute to him at the 75th edition of the Locarno Film Festival will include screenings of Get Out, by Jordan Peele – USA/Japan – 2017, and Split, by M. Night Shyamalan – USA/Japan – 2016.
Jason Blum is described by the festival as literally reinventing genre cinema, as witnessed by the long-running horror franchises Paranormal Activity, Insidious and The Purge. Noted for scouting Oscar-winning talents such as Jordan Peele and Damien Chazelle, Blum has both fostered the creativity of innovative filmmakers – like Scott Derrickson, Rob Zombie, Leigh Wannell, James Wan and Mike Flanagan – and given fresh impetus to the careers of cineastes such as Spike Lee, Barry Levinson and M. Night Shyamalan.
“Jason Blum has over 75 production credits to his name, despite his relatively young age. Above all he has successfully established a sustainable micro-budget production model, reviving genre filmmaking in the process. He has used genre to narrate the various political crises besetting the U.S., overcoming sexist stereotypes and launching acting careers through his constant promotion of new talents. His tireless efforts have turned his company Blumhouse into a brand with global recognition. In the tradition of Roger Corman, he has practiced innovation from the inside, but without ever renouncing his critical gaze. Adapting the French New Wave’s concept of an ‘auteur policy’, we could call Jason Blum’s approach the perfect example of a ‘producer policy’: he creates cinema with an unmistakable touch, and the Locarno Film Festival is honored to celebrate his work.” – Giona A. Nazzaro, artistic director
The Premio Raimondo Rezzonico for Best Independent Producer was created in 2002 in memory of the man who was President of the Festival from 1981 to 1999.