THE TEAM

CEO

Dave Bishop

Prior to becoming CEO in 2017, Dave started his Protagonist adventure five years earlier as Director of sales, before then assuming the position of Head of Worldwide Acquisitions.

Dave’s early career saw him hold senior acquisitions and distribution roles at Sony Pictures Entertainment where he worked for over ten years. This was followed by the role of Head of Acquisitions at Revolver Entertainment.

CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER

George Hamilton

George joined Protagonist in 2013, rising to the role of Head of Sales and becoming an integral part of the company’s work with producers to help structure and find finance for projects.

George began his career producing and directing digital content for a wide range of brands and agencies, as well as a number of short films through his own boutique production outfit.

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

James Pugh

James joined in 2017 from Studiocanal UK.
Prior to that, he worked in business affairs at Curzon Artificial Eye and Revolver Entertainment.

VP, SALES & DISTRIBUTION

Janina Vilsmaier

Janina joined Protagonist from HanWay Films sales team having previously worked in production on German films.

LIBRARY AND FESTIVAL MANAGER

Isabel Ivars

With a background in the Arts (MA Central Saint Martins, MA Research Goldsmiths in London) and Filmmaking (NY Film Academy), Isabel specialised in film marketing and distribution after a few years working at Merrill Lynch, combining her passion and knowledge for the arts with her experience and interest in financing and marketing.

Before joining Protagonist Pictures, Isabel previously worked as a Sales Agent for Wide Management  in Paris and Head of Festivals for Films Boutique in Berlin, as well as collaborating with Institutions on financing project reviews, seminars and works in progress to aid on the production, marketing, and distribution process.

SALES EXECUTIVE

Alexandra Da Silva

Before joining Protagonist, Alexandra worked in production for film and theatre. She also worked for the BFI as part of the Programme and Guest team for the London Film Festival.

Sales Assistant

Max Mepsted

VP, GLOBAL MARKETING & PUBLICITY

Mounia Wissinger

Mounia started out her career working in international sales and marketing, before specialising in domestic and international publicity. After leading the international publicity department at Studiocanal, she joined Netflix in Amsterdam, where she managed EMEA and global projects.

She then reconnected with marketing and communication through her own company, Challenge Accepted, before joining Protagonist in 2018.

Marketing & Festival Coordinator

Leni Jaeger

Before joining Protagonist, Leni worked in PR and film production in Germany & Austria. She also holds an MA in Filmmaking from Goldsmiths, University of London.

MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR

Connor Day

 

Director of Acquisitions & Development

Alice Vail

Before joining Protagonist, Alice was the Development Editor at Number 9 Films for both their Film & TV projects. She began her career at Casarotto Ramsay & Associates, working with a broad list of writers and directors.

Acquisitions & Development Coordinator

Emilie Szemraj

Emilie began her career at Protagonist in 2021, previously gaining work experience at Focus Features and Normal Life Pictures. Her background includes an MPhil in Film and Screen Studies from the University of Cambridge.

Executive Assistant to the CEO and CCO

Axelle Ava

Axelle joined Protagonist after obtaining her MA in Film-producing from Goldsmiths, University of London. Prior to this, she worked in UK Film Production & Live Event Production. Her background also includes a BA and MA in Economics from Ghent University and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

TECHNICAL OPERATIONS MANAGER

Katie McGovern

Katie started her career in operations at Protagonist in 2019, after gaining technical experience in roles at Studiocanal and Warner Bros.

Business Affairs Manager

Tania Cepi

Legal and Business Affairs Executive

Lani Kovacevic

Lani joined Protagonist team in 2021, after working for a year at STX Entertainment as a consultant in business affairs.

HEAD OF FINANCE

Anita Kerai

Credit Controller

Ceri Davies

Ceri comes from a senior credit control background having worked in the recruitment industry at Venn Group and prior to that in the world of media advertising at JCDecaux.