Biography
Leslie Cohen is a senior film and content executive who has spent 20+ years developing and acquiring ground-breaking content across platform including multi-year multi-million-dollar studio content, independent DEI films, concerts and standup comedy.
Recognized as a collaborative, creative curator with exceptional diplomacy and resourceful deal making skills, Leslie has been committed to supporting unheard voices and cultivating relationships with filmmakers, content developers, producers, musicians, and comedians.
In her most recent role as Senior Vice President of Content Acquisitions for Warner Bros. Discovery, HBO/HBOMAX, Leslie was responsible for acquiring films from major studios, independent suppliers and international partners. Studio deals include A24, Sony, MGM, Warner Bros., Paramount, Bleeker Street, Magnolia and NEON among others. During her tenure, Leslie curated Latin/DEI content including feature films, concerts, comedy specials, and series as well as artist-forward films for Warner Bros. Discovery 150. Leslie expanded and organized the acquisitions team to help lead the evolution of HBO brand portfolio programming from linear to streaming.
Select notable titles include 2022 Academy Award Winning Drive My Car; Latin Grammy winning Juan Luis Guerra Entre Mar Y Palmeras and En Letra De Otro- Pedro Capo; International Emmy nominated Isabel and A Tiny Audience; International series The Head. Leslie also led the relationship with HBO Latam acquiring the first ever Spanish language series, Epitafios, to air on the HBO main channel as well as the first International Emmy Award winner, Sr. Avila. Additional concert and comedy series include musicians Shakira, Romeo Santos, Camilo, J. Balvin and comedians. Leslie is currently Executive Producer on the 150 award winning project Brownsville Bred (Audience Award at SXSW and Urban World 2022, Jury prize at Newport FF 2022).
Leslie serves as an Advisory Board Member for Florida's Gasparilla International Film Festival, Emeritus Board Member of the Picture House Regional Film Center in New York and nominated member of the International Television Academy of Arts and Sciences.
She holds a BA from Dartmouth College and an MBA from New York University Stern School of Business.
