Laurie May Departs Elevation Pictures as Noah Segal Assumes Presidency

Co-founder and co-president Laurie May is exiting Elevation Pictures, the Canadian indie film distribution and production banner she launched in 2013 with backing from Teddy Schwarzman’s Black Bear. In a statement she expressed pride in the company’s growth and said she will now focus on other passions. Noah Segal, who has co-led the firm with May, will take over as president.

Schwarzman highlighted May’s vision and entrepreneurial leadership over the past thirteen years. Elevation, supported by output deals including Black Bear, will showcase 14 titles at the 2026 Toronto Film Festival, featuring films such as Neon’s Palme d’Or winner Fjord, All of a Sudden, and A24’s Club Kid. Recent Canadian box-office successes include the horror hit Backrooms and the Timothée Chalamet-led Marty Supreme, underscoring the banner’s role in bringing both arthouse and commercial titles to theatres.