Ellis Watamanuk

Ellis Watamanuk is Picture Motion's Vice President, Distribution. He is a film industry executive with years of experience in distribution, publicity and marketing. Ellis most recently served as the Vice President of Distribution at FilmRise, where he was an instrumental figure in establishing and developing the film and tv distributor’s theatrical division. At FilmRise, he oversaw the release campaigns for narrative films like My Friend Dahmer, Marjorie Prime, and Manifesto; as well as documentaries like The Witness and Kennedy Marshall’s Finding Oscar. Prior to his time at FilmRise, Ellis worked as a publicist in Los Angeles on films including the Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated The Hunt; Blue is the Warmest Color; and the groundbreaking documentary Blackfish, which went on to inspire policy change in various states across the U.S. He also worked as a distribution and publicity consultant for independent filmmakers in New York after graduating from New York University’s film and tv production program. He is a lifelong advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, animal welfare, and environmental conservation.

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