Brief
LuckyChap International appoints former Searchlight exec Katie Goodson‑Thomas as president of film
The London‑based venture adds the veteran executive to lead its slate, with the appointment effective in the new year.
By Felo News Desk · Published
LuckyChap International, the London‑based joint venture between LuckyChap and Mediawan launched in late 2025, announced that Katie Goodson‑Thomas will join as president of film. Goodson‑Thomas, who spent more than a decade at Searchlight Pictures and most recently served as executive vice president and co‑head of production and development, will start in the new year.
What happened
The company said Goodson‑Thomas will work closely with co‑managing directors Mona Qureshi and Tanya Qureshi, who joined earlier this year, to steer LuckyChap International’s film slate. The leadership trio will collaborate with LuckyChap partners Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley, Josey McNamara and Milan Popelka, as well as the broader U.S. team.
What the reports add
Variety noted that at Searchlight Goodson‑Thomas oversaw award‑winning titles such as Yorgos Lanthimos’ “The Favourite” and “Poor Things,” Martin McDonagh’s “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” and upcoming projects like “Wild Horse Nine,” “All of Us Strangers,” “The Roses” and Alice Birch’s “Sweetsick” starring Cate Blanchett.
What was said
“We’re thrilled to welcome Katie to LuckyChap International,” Mona and Tanya Qureshi said, according to Variety. Goodson‑Thomas added, “The LuckyChap team has exceptional taste, fearlessness and a creative identity entirely its own… The U.K. and Europe are full of remarkable talent, and I’m hugely ambitious about what we can find, back and get made together.” The U.S. partners—Robbie, Ackerley, McNamara and Popelka—said they were “in awe of everything Katie has accomplished” and felt “extraordinarily privileged” to have her on board.
How it came about
LuckyChap International’s formation in late 2025 marked a strategic push to expand LuckyChap’s global footprint. The appointment follows earlier moves by the venture’s leadership, including the Qureshi sisters’ arrival earlier in 2026 and the hiring of UTA’s Matt Rice as president of its newly created Filmed Entertainment unit, reported by Felo News on October 1.
Key facts
- LuckyChap International named Katie Goodson‑Thomas president of film (variety.com)
- Goodson‑Thomas previously spent over a decade at Searchlight Pictures (variety.com)
- She will work with co‑managing directors Mona and Tanya Qureshi and LuckyChap partners Robbie, Ackerley, McNamara and Popelka (variety.com)
- Goodson‑Thomas oversaw films such as "The Favourite", "Poor Things", and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" (variety.com)
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “LuckyChap International Hires Experienced Searchlight Exec Katie Goodson-Thomas as President of Film”
