Focus promotes Kiska Higgs to oversee acquisitions, co-productions

Focus Features has promoted Kiska Higgs to senior vice-president of acquisitions and co-production to oversee worldwide acquisitions and co-productions for Focus as well as its Focus World distribution arm.

Higgs most recently served as vice-president of acquisitions and reports to Focus president Robert Walak, who made the announcement.

She has played an integral role on acquisitions of Loving, where Focus acquired North America and most of the world; Manchester By The Sea, on which Focus holds select international rights; and recent Sundance hit Thoroughbred, where Focus acquired worldwide rights last month.

Higgs was previously vice-president of acquisitions at Universal Pictures International Productions and joined Universal in 2006.

“In our first year of revitalising Focus into the premier global specialty brand, Kiska has been a key player in our efforts,” Walak said. “She is the consummate professional with strong relationships in the talent community, and a keen nose for discovering the kinds of bold, fresh filmmakers that Focus wants to be in business with as we continue to build both the Focus and Focus World slates.”