Paul Bernon
Alma materBoston University
Occupation(s)Film producer
Real estate executive
Years active2004–present
Board member ofEMILY's List
Partner(s)Bethenny Frankel (2018–present; engaged)
AwardsPeabody Award

Paul Bernon is an American businessman and film producer. His film Best Kept Secret was awarded a Peabody Award in 2014.

Education and real estate career

Bernon studied film at Boston University, and received a graduate degree in real estate from New York University.[1][2] Bernon is now Managing Partner at PMB Ventures, a private holding company focusing on investments in real estate, entertainment, and venture capital. Representative investments include Rubicon Real Estate, Burn Later Productions, and startups that include Cameo, Reggora, Fisker, WiTricity, Religion of Sports, Elite HRV, PickUp, and MuddHouse Media.[1] [3]

Film production

In 2012, Bernon produced a short film entitled Teacher of the Year that was screened at the Tribeca Film Festival, and now lives on Funny or Die.[4] That year, he also co-founded the independent film production company Burn Later Productions,[1] and produced and funded the completion of the documentary Best Kept Secret on the subject of Autism.[5] Following the film, Bernon was named a "visionary leader" for his work advocating for those with disabilities,[6] and awarded a Peabody Award for the work in 2014 as one of the film's executive producers.[7]

One of the first films he financed and executive produced[8] was An Oversimplification of Her Beauty. He then produced the film Drinking Buddies,[3] which was financed with connections he made through his screenings of Teacher of the Year.[9] He also produced the film Adult Beginners in 2015.[10] That year, Bernon was also a producer of the film Results, a feature-length romantic comedy[11] that initially screened at Sundance Film Festival.[12] In 2016, he produced the relationship comedy The Intervention.[13] In 2017. he produced the films Small Crimes [14] and Lemon.[15]

His latest films, A Kid Like Jake,[16] starring Claire Danes, Jim Parsons, Octavia Spencer and Priyanka Chopra, and Hearts Beat Loud,[17] starring Nick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons, Ted Danson, and Toni Collette, had their world premieres at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, and were released theatrically in June 2018.[citation needed]

Politics

Bernon is an active volunteer in Democratic politics. He is co-chair of the Creative Council at EMILY's List[18]and a member of the National Finance Committee at the Democratic National Committee. Paul was formerly finance chair for the campaigns of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Attorney General Martha Coakley, and the Massachusetts Democratic Party.[19][20][21]

References

  1. ^ a b c Bernstein, Paula (20 June 2015). "Meet the Real Estate Moguls Behind Some of Your Favorite Indie Films - IndieWire". Indiewire.com. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  2. ^ "Bios | Burn Later Productions". burnlater.com. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  3. ^ a b "Developers Paul Bernon and Sam Slater make a name for themselves in the film industry". Bostonglobe.com. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  4. ^ Teacher Of The Year, retrieved 2018-05-31
  5. ^ "Local Filmmakers Shine a Light on Autism". Bostoncommon-magazine.com. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  6. ^ "Paul Bernon and Jay Ruderman honored for advocacy work". Bostonglobe.com. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  7. ^ "POV Wins Peabody Awards for 'Best Kept Secret' and 'The Law in These Parts'". Pbs.org. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  8. ^ Debruge, Peter (2012-02-06). "An Oversimplification of Her Beauty". Variety. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  9. ^ Chelin, Pamela. "Behind The Scenes with Burn Later Productions Filmmakers Paul Bernon And Sam Slater". Forbes.com. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  10. ^ "Two local men are the financial force behind 'Adult Beginners' - The Boston Globe". Bostonglobe.com. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  11. ^ "And Action!". Mensfitness.com. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  12. ^ "Local team brings 'Results' to the Sundance Film Festival". Bostonglobe.com. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  13. ^ Lang, Brent (28 January 2016). "Sundance: Paramount Buys Clea Duvall's 'The Intervention'". Variety.com. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  14. ^ McNary, Dave (2016-05-12). "Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Starring in Dark Comedy 'Small Crimes' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  15. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2017-03-10). "Janicza Bravo Feature Directorial Debut 'Lemon' Acquired By Magnolia – SXSW". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  16. ^ "Paul Bernon confirms Priyanka Chopra's next Hollywood film". Behindwoods.com. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  17. ^ Evans, Greg (2018-03-20). "Gunpowder & Sky Nabs Brett Haley's Sundance Closer 'Hearts Beat Loud; June Release Set". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  18. ^ "EMILYs List Announces Four New Members and Two New Officers to Join Board of Directors". EMILYs List. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  19. ^ "DEM launches TV ad in FLANAGAN seat special — Funding the CCC — WORCESTER leaders speak out against GOP tax plan". POLITICO. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  20. ^ "Gov. Patrick on-island Friday". The Inquirer and Mirror. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  21. ^ "Chelsea Handler on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-05-31.

External links