Biography
As Co-President and Co-Founder of Sony Pictures Classics, an autonomous division of Sony Pictures Entertainment which just celebrated its 30th anniversary, Tom Bernard (with Michael Barker) has distributed, produced, and acquired some of the finest independent films from around the world over the past 35 years. Their films have won 41 Academy Awards (37 at Sony Pictures Classics) and have garnered 183 Academy Award nominations (157 at Sony Pictures Classics), including Best Picture nominations for THE FATHER, CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, WHIPLASH, AMOUR, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, AN EDUCATION, CAPOTE, HOWARDS END, and CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON.
Previously Bernard was an executive at United Artists (1980-1983) and went on to co-found Orion Classics (1983-1991) and Sony Pictures Classics. Over the years, Bernard has released features from American masters (THE RIDER, FOXCATCHER, ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE, RACHEL GETTING MARRIED, SWEET AND LOWDOWN) and new American filmmakers (MILES AHEAD, MAGGIE'S PLAN, THE MEDDLER, INFINITELY POLAR BEAR, EQUITY, WHIPLASH, PARIS CAN WAIT, THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL, TAKE SHELTER, SLACKER, WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE, FROZEN RIVER); cutting edge films (BAADASSSSS!, KUNG FU HUSTLE, MOON, ORLANDO, RUN LOLA RUN, THE RAID); animated features (THE TRIPLETS OF BELLVILLE, PERSEPOLIS, WALTZ WITH BASHIR); feature documentaries (THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS, MAIDEN, DARK HORSE, RED ARMY, DOGTOWN AND THE Z BOYS, CRUMB, WINGED MIGRATION, IT MIGHT GET LOUD, THE GATEKEEPERS) and foreign films (CAPERNAUM, NO, PAIN AND GLORY, WADJDA, TONI ERDMANN, RAN, A PROPHET, ELLE, CENTRAL STATION, WINGS OF DESIRE).
Among other awards and honors, Bernard and Mr. Barker have received The Women in Film Beacon Award from Women in Film Los Angeles in recognition of their unmatched support of female filmmakers throughout their careers, as well as Outfest's Corporate Trailblazer Award for their long history of backing LGTBQ stories and filmmakers. He and Mr. Barker have also been recognized for their work with the insignia of Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the French government, the Spirit of Independence Award from Film Independent at the Los Angeles Film Festival and the esteemed French Legion of Honor from the French government in acknowledgment for their continued contributions to French culture, the Honors Award from the Directors Guild of America, the GLAAD Media Award, a retrospective at the George Eastman House in Rochester, New York, the Gotham Industry Lifetime Achievement Award from the IFP, and the FINDIE Spirit Award.
Bernard is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, the Sundance Advisory Board, the Tribeca Film Festival Advisory Board and the Monmouth University Communication Board.
Bernard has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland at College Park.
