Film4 has appointed Cate Kane as its new senior commissioning executive, effective January 2026. In her new role, Kane will report directly to Farhana Bhula, the director of Film4, and will collaborate with fellow senior commissioning executive David Kimbangi. Kane joins Film4 after an impactful tenure at Mubi, where she served as co-head of global acquisitions since 2020.
During her time at Mubi, Kane was instrumental in acquiring critically acclaimed films such as “Aftersun,” “The Substance,” “My Father’s Shadow,” and “The Worst Person in the World.” Her extensive experience also includes nine years as head of acquisitions at Curzon Film, alongside previous roles at BBC Film, Casarotto Ramsay, and Content Film.
Kane’s Vision for Film4
In her new role at Film4, Kane is expected to play a pivotal part in shaping the company’s film slate. She will work closely with filmmakers to guide projects from the early development stage through to production. Kane expressed her enthusiasm for the position, stating, “Having collaborated with Film4 for many years, I’m over the moon to now join Farhana’s brilliant team and help build on their extraordinary slate. Film4 has always been the creative home for filmmakers that have inspired me, and I can’t wait to champion both established and emerging voices for audiences everywhere.”
Bhula echoed this sentiment, highlighting Kane’s creative prowess and commitment to nurturing new talent. “I’m delighted that Cate Kane will be joining Film4 as a senior commissioning executive. Cate is an exceptional creative force whose instincts, track record, and vision perfectly align with the next chapter of Film4. She has proven to be fearless in backing some of the most exciting new voices from the U.K. and is deeply committed to championing work that resonates with global audiences,” Bhula stated.
Recent Achievements and Future Projects
Film4 recently celebrated its support for four directorial debut films that are set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2026. These include Molly Manners’ “Extra Geography,” Rafael Manuel’s “Filipiñana,” Olive Nwoso’s “Lady,” and Joanna Natasegara’s “The Disciple.”
The company’s current production slate features an array of promising projects, including Alice Birch’s “Sweetsick” starring Cate Blanchett, Jonathan Schey’s “Everybody Wants To F*ck Me” featuring Taron Egerton, Andrew Haigh’s “A Long Winter,” and Bijan Sheibani’s “The Arrival.”
Kane’s appointment comes at a time when Film4 is looking to further establish itself as a leading platform for innovative and diverse storytelling, ensuring it continues to make a significant impact in the film industry.
