Focus Features Chairman Peter Kujawski to Keynote at Variety’s Business Managers Breakfast

Variety will host its annual Business Managers Breakfast, presented by City National Bank, in Los Angeles on Nov. 13. The breakfast will bring together those featured in Variety’s Business Managers Elite issue, celebrating the achievements of top entertainment business managers over the past year.

Peter Kujawski — chairman of Focus Features, the specialty division of Universal Film — will participate in a keynote conversation, moderated by Variety co-editor-in-chiefCynthia Littleton, about the studio’s creative and strategic vision for releasing breakthrough filmmaking for today’s audiences. Current films attracting attention include Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Bugonia,” Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet” and Craig Brewer’s “Song Sung Blue.”

Under Kujawski’s leadership, Focus has released such acclaimed films as Edward Berger’s “Conclave,” Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu,” Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers,” Todd Field’s “TÁR,” Emerald Fennell’s “Promising Young Woman,” Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman,” Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast” and the hit “Downton Abbey” franchise.

Phil Sarna, senior managing director and founder of PS Business Management, LLC, will receive Variety’s Business Manager of the Year Award in recognition of his financial guidance for some of the most talented and successful artists in film, music, fashion and sports, as well as his extensive philanthropic efforts. His firm operates offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Nashville and New Orleans.

“City National Bank is proud to support Variety’s Business Managers Elite breakfast, which celebrates the critical role business managers play in guiding their clients’ careers and shaping the future of entertainment,” said JaHan Wang, head of Entertainment & Sports Banking at City National Bank. “Behind every successful artist, producer and industry professional, there’s a skilled business manager working tirelessly to drive the success of each client.”

“Business managers are a vital part of the entertainment ecosystem and we are very pleased to again partner with City National Bank for this event,” said Dea Lawrence, co-president and publisher of Variety. “We also congratulate Phil Sarna on receiving the Business Manager of the Year award.”