Leslie Jean Porter

Leslie Jean Porter is an award winning producer, director and writer. She communicates, not only in film, but also through her paintings, costumes and photographs. She has an outstanding knowledge of the entertainment industry in acquisitions, marketing and distribution. Graduated from Bard College, Leslie started to work in film and fashion in Paris, London, NYC, L.A and Rome. She began her career in Haute Couture for Louis Feraud in Paris who won twice the De d'Or (Golden Thimble) Award during her three years tenure there. Then off to Rome to work for Luigi Commencini on his film Un Ragazzo di Calabria starring Diego Abatantuono. Back in Paris where she grew up, she worked as assistant producer on the TV series The Exile. Then she worked for Robert Altman on Ready to Wear (Pret-a-Porter) starring Sophia Loren, Julia Roberts, Lauren Bacall, Marcello Mastroianni and Tim Robbins. In 1994, she became Head of Acquisitions for Ciby 2000 a major French distribution, co-production and production company. During that time, she worked closely with some of the greatest independent directors including again Robert Altman, then David Lynch, Pedro Almodovar, Emir Kusturica, Mike Leigh and Wim Wenders. Three of those films: Underground, Taste of Cherry and Secret and Lies won the Palm d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Later, Leslie worked with Samuel Hadida on many of his productions. Her credits in this collaboration include executive producer on Dancing at the Blue Iguana starring Daryl Hannah and Kristin Bauer and Nouvelle France (Battle of the Brave) starring Gerard Depardieu, Tim Roth. She was a Producer on Sweat (Sueurs) starring Jean-Hugues Anglade and Vincent Perez. Leslie believes that fear is the thief of dreams and can be a warrior for the right project.