Specialty Film Executive at Warner Quits

The founder of Warner Bros.’ specialty film unit, distributor of such acclaimed movies as “March of the Penguins” and “Good Night, and Good Luck,” has resigned under pressure after repeatedly clashing with his boss over a number of issues, including the company’s direction.

Warner Independent Pictures President Mark Gill will become a producer with parent Warner Bros. effective Thursday, the studio confirmed Tuesday. Gill was given a two-year production deal.

No replacement was named, but Polly Cohen, recently promoted to Warner Bros. executive vice president of production, is expected to succeed Gill. One studio source cautioned, however, that Cohen’s contract was not yet finalized.

Gill could not be reached for comment. The studio announced his departure in a news release that did not list any of his Warner accomplishments, such as acquiring “March of the Penguins,” the 2006 Oscar winner for best feature documentary.

Gill is a movie marketing veteran who previously worked at such companies as Miramax Films and Columbia Pictures. In his latest job, Gill found himself repeatedly at odds with his direct boss, Warner Bros. production President Jeff Robinov, going back to the days of the specialty label’s formation in 2003, studio sources say.

Robinov could not be reached. In a statement, he called Gill “a talented executive with a passion for making movies.”

Cohen is one of Robinov’s most trusted deputies. In February, he promoted her from senior vice president of production. She has worked on such films as “Superman Returns” and the “Harry Potter” series.

Although she lacks experience in the specialty film arena, Cohen recently has been working with Gill on two Warner Independent projects.

Cohen joined the studio in 1997 as a creative executive. While a graduate student in USC’s Peter Stark Producing Program, she worked for Warner Bros. as a production management trainee.

Times staff writer Lorenza Munoz contributed to this report.