Wolkoff named development chief at LA-based Bekmambetov Projects

Wolkoff will commence work in August and previously served as director of development for Universal Pictures International.

She will oversee development on a slate that includes Seth Grahame-Smith’s Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter in development, with Bekmambetov, Tim Burton and Jim Lemley producing. BPL’s slate includes The Darkest Hour in production.

At Universal Wolkoff played a key role in the studio’s partnership with Bekmambetov and oversaw production on Black Lightning, which has grossed over $20m in Russia and is being remade for the English-language market.

Wolkoff also collaborated with a diverse group of film-makers that included Alfonso Cuaron, Guillermo del Toro, Heitor Dhalia, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Fernando Meirelles.

She joined Universal in 2003 as Stacey Snider’s creative assistant and was one of the first creative executives brought over by David Linde to join the studio’s international group.

“She is incredibly collaborative, creative, and strategic, and is a great partner to have in developing BPL’s future projects for both US and foreign language audiences,” Bekmambetov said.

“Timur and I have enjoyed a wonderful creative relationship over the year,” Wolkoff said. “His energy is infectious, and I admire his unmatched passion for film.”