Lianne Halfon has been named to head the producing program at the American Film Institute’s AFI Conservatory. She succeeds Neil Canton, who retired in June after 14 years at the conservatory.
Producing is one of six disciplines — the others include cinematography, directing, editing, production design and screenwriting — offered by the film school as part of its two-year Master of Fine Arts degree.
Halfon, who will have the title of Producing Discipline Head, founded the production company Mr. Mudd with Russell Smith and John Malkovich in 1998. She has produced such films as best picture Oscar nominee Juno as well as Ghost World, Art School Confidential, Young Adult and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Her executive producing credits include the documentaries Crumb and Which Way Home. Halfon is a member of both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Producers Guild of America.
“Lianne brings a wealth of experience, taste and knowledge to the AFI Conservatory, and will no doubt take this pioneering program to the next level — and into the future,” AFI Conservatory dean Richard N. Gladstein said in announcing Halfon’s appointment.
