James Schamus

James Schamus is a multifaceted American filmmaker born in 1959. His career spans various roles, including screenwriter, producer, and director, with a notable collaboration with acclaimed filmmaker Ang Lee. Schamus has also made a mark in the film industry as a co-founder of the production company Good Machine. In addition to his creative pursuits, he has held key executive positions, showcasing his versatility in the field.

Schamus has been at the helm of several prominent companies, including Focus Features, a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, where he served as co-founder and CEO. Currently, he heads the New York-based production company Symbolic Exchange as its president. Apart from his industry endeavors, Schamus is a dedicated academic, having taught film history and theory at Columbia University since 1989. He holds the position of Professor of Professional Practice at the university, highlighting his commitment to educating and inspiring future generations of filmmakers.