Jessica Harrop Promoted to Executive Director of Sandbox Films (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Brent Lang Executive Editor Sandbox Films has promoted Jessica Harrop to executive director of the company. In her new role, she will lead in strategic planning, editorial decision-making and the building of new partnerships and initiatives at the nonfiction studio.

Harrop is an Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning producer. She played a pivotal role in launching and growing Sandbox Films, joining the team before the company’s official formation.

Serving for the past five years as the head of production and development, she was instrumental in growing the slate of films and played a major role in all productions including Sara Dosa’s Oscar-nominated “Fire of Love.” Before Sandbox Films, she worked as a freelance showrunner, producer and writer for science television. “I couldn’t be more excited to take on this new role at Sandbox Films, a company that I helped build from the ground up, with a mission I care deeply about,” Harrop said in a statement. “We are working to reinvent the science documentary genre and make science stories more accessible to people who don’t seek out science content.

I am proud to collaborate with an incredible team and with such talented independent artists.” In addition, Sam Lazar Riviello has been named head of operations and events at the company. “It is an exhilarating moment for Sandbox Films!” Riviello said in a statement. “Under Jessica’s astute stewardship, we’re cultivating more dynamic partnerships, empowering the independent documentary community with resources driven by their needs, and delivering awe-inspiring science documentaries to audiences worldwide — all while upholding the exceptional standards that define our studio.” Under Harrop’s leadership, Sandbox will be expanding its.