By Justin Anderson

James Farrell is stepping down as head of international originals for Amazon MGM Studios to launch his own company focused on producing young adult movies.

Farrell announced his exit earlier this week via his own internal goodbye memo, which Kidscreen has obtained. His last day with Amazon MGM Studios will be February 25.

“I could think of no better time to do something unexpected and leave Amazon to start my own company, creating the same type of international YA movies we’ve been making here, but as part of a new venture with some great friends in the industry,” wrote Farrell (pictured) in his note to staff.

“It’s been 10 years since I joined [Amazon] from Sony Pictures in Tokyo. We got off to a fast start with shows like [global unscripted format] LOL/Documental, and from there we expanded into India, [where] I got to spend more than a year on the ground, building that business up before heading off to Latin America and then Europe, with teams now based in 17 locations in total, producing over 150 originals a year.”

Amazon hasn’t announced a replacement yet. In the meantime, the international originals team will report to Amazon MGM Studios head Jen Salke. Javiera Balmaceda is head of international originals, Latin America, Canada and Australia; Nicole Morganti is head of international originals, Southern Europe; Tara Erer is head of international originals, Northern Europe and UK; and Nikhil Madhok is head of international originals, India.

Farrell was tapped to become head of international originals in 2018, and previously served as head of content for international expansion, where he helped launch Prime Video in Japan, India and Latin America.

In his memo, Farrell mentioned the success of unscripted series such as the LOL: Last One Laughing franchise and Clarkson’s Farm alongside scripted hits like Maxton Hall and Spanish YA original film Culpa Tuya, which has a UK version launching soon called My Fault London. The latter is Prime Video’s top international launch to date, hitting the top spot in 170 countries upon its release.

(By Justin Anderson, Realscreen)