Writing alumnus Steve Schwartz ’73 is producing Anniversary, an upcoming thriller starring Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Madeline Brewer, Zoey Deutch, Phoebe Dynevor, McKenna Grace, Daryl McCormack and Dylan O’Brien. Produced by Lionsgate and Fifth Season, this new film joins Schwartz's lineup of memorable movies, including All the Old Knives, The Road, and The Counselor.
Anniversary is a provocative thriller about a close-knit family that is torn apart as a new movement known as ‘The Change’ envelops the country. The film is directed by Oscar-nominated Jan Komasa (Corpus Christi, The Hater). Lori Rosene-Gambino wrote the screenplay based on an original story by Komasa and Rosene-Gambino, and will also serve as an executive producer. Producing the film alongside Schwartz is his wife, Paula Mae Schwartz, as well as Nick Wechsler and Kate Churchill.
“It’s rare to read a script that keeps you so captivated and emotionally invested like Anniversary does,” said Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, co-CEOs at Fifth Season. “Jan is the perfect filmmaker to bring this thrilling story to life and we are excited to go on this journey with Lionsgate, this talented filmmaking team, and this amazing cast.”
“Anniversary is a hard hitting and urgent take on a family apocalypse,” said Lionsgate President of Worldwide Distribution Ron Schwartz. “It’s loaded with drama and suspense and could not be more current and relevant today.”
Last year, Steve Schwartz taught a masterclass in producing at the School of The Arts, moderated by Film Chair Jack Lechner.
Steve Schwartz is the president of Chockstone Pictures, a production company he co-founded with his wife Paula Mae Schwartz in 2004. He is the producer of such films as Serena (2014), starring Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper; Homeless: The Soundtrack (2018); the star-studded film The Counselor (2013); The Road (2009), and more. He is also the co-executive producer of the Academy Award nominated film The Tree of Life (2011), directed by Terrence Malick. A hiker, kayaker, and climber, Schwartz has served on the boards of the American Alpine Club, the Appalachian Mountain Club, and Bowdoin College.
