Bruna Papandrea (born 1971) is an Australian

film A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmospher ...

and

television producer A television producer is a person who oversees one or more aspects of video production on a television program. Some producers take more of an executive role, in that they conceive new programs and pitch them to the television networks, but upon ...

and the founder of production company Made Up Stories. Prior to Made Up Stories, Papandrea co-founded the production company

Pacific Standard ''Pacific Standard'' was an American online magazine that reported on issues of social and environmental justice. Founded in 2008, the magazine was published in print and online for its first ten years until production of the print edition cease ...

with

Reese Witherspoon Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon (born March 22, 1976) is an American actress and producer. The recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards, she ...

Early life and education

Papandrea was raised in

Adelaide Adelaide ( ) is the capital city of South Australia, the state's largest city and the fifth-most populous city in Australia. "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater Adelaide (including the Adelaide Hills) or the Adelaide city centre. The dem ...

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a States and territories of Australia, state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest o ...

, by a

single mother A single parent is a person who has a child or children but does not have a spouse or live-in partner to assist in the upbringing or support of the child. Reasons for becoming a single parent include divorce, break-up, abandonment, becoming wi ...

Career

She moved to

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

in the 1990s after establishing a career in film production. She briefly returned to Australia to produce the 2000 film '' Better Than Sex'', which was nominated for the AFI Award for

Best Film This is a list of categories of awards commonly awarded through organizations that bestow film awards, including those presented by various film, festivals, and people's awards. Best Actor/Best Actress *See Best Actor#Film awards, Best Actress#F ...

, before moving to London in 2001. She served as a production executive at the film studio Mirage Enterprises and later returned to New York to work for GreeneStreet Films, a production company for independent films, as a creative director. At GreeneStreet she executive produced the 2006 romantic comedy ''

Wedding Daze ''Wedding Daze'' (also known as ''The Pleasure of Your Company'' and ''The Next Girl I See'') is a 2006 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Michael Ian Black and starring Jason Biggs and Isla Fisher. Plot Against the advice ...

'' before joining another independent production company, Groundswell Productions, in Los Angeles in February 2006. There she was responsible for producing ''

Smart People ''Smart People'' is a 2008 American comedy-drama film starring Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker, Elliot Page, and Thomas Haden Church. The film was directed by Noam Murro, written by Mark Poirier and produced by Michael London, with Omar Ama ...

'' (2008), ''

Milk Milk is a white liquid food produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals (including breastfed human infants) before they are able to digest solid food. Immune factors and immune-modulat ...

'' (2008), ''

The Marc Pease Experience ''The Marc Pease Experience'' is a 2009 comedy film directed by Todd Louiso and written by Louiso and Jacob Koskoff. Shot primarily in and around Wilmington and New Hanover County, North Carolina in early 2007, the film is centered on Marc Peas ...

'' (2009), and ''

All Good Things All Good Things may refer to: Music *'' All Good Things'', an American Alternative rock band formed in 2013. Albums * ''All Good Things'' (album), a 2002 album by Sissel *'' All Good Things: Jerry Garcia Studio Sessions'', a box set by Jerry Garc ...

'' (2010). In 2011, Papandrea produced ''

Warm Bodies ''Warm Bodies'' is a novel by author Isaac Marion. The book was described as a "zombie romance" by the ''Seattle Post-Intelligencer'' and makes allusions to William Shakespeare's ''Romeo and Juliet''. The author, based in Seattle, originally w ...

'', a

zombie comedy The zombie comedy, often called zom com or zomedy, is a film genre that aims to blend zombie horror motifs with slapstick comedy as well as morbid humor. History The earliest roots of the genre can be found in Jean Yarbrough's ''King of the ...

film directed by Jonathan Levine and released in 2013. In 2012, she and actress

co-founded Pacific Standard, a

Beverly Hills Beverly Hills is a city located in Los Angeles County, California. A notable and historic suburb of Greater Los Angeles, it is in a wealthy area immediately southwest of the Hollywood Hills, approximately northwest of downtown Los Angeles. ...

-based production company focusing on creating films made by and about women. Their first two projects at Pacific Standard were '' Gone Girl'' and ''

Wild Wild, wild, wilds or wild may refer to: Common meanings * Wild animal * Wilderness, a wild natural environment * Wildness, the quality of being wild or untamed Art, media and entertainment Film and television * ''Wild'' (2014 film), a 2014 A ...

'', both adapted from books whose rights were acquired by Papandrea and Witherspoon before publication. Both films were released in 2014, by which time they had also completed production on the 2015 comedy film ''

Hot Pursuit Hot pursuit Hot pursuit is a legal term. Hot Pursuit may also refer to: Film and television * ''Hot Pursuit'' (1984 TV series), a 1984 NBC television series * ''Hot Pursuit'' (2006 TV series), a 2006 Court TV television series * ''Hot Pursuit ...

''. In 2016, they announced that they were ending their partnership, though they would continue to work on the projects that were in the middle of production, including the HBO series '' Big Little Lies'' and a film adaptation of the novel ''

Luckiest Girl Alive ''Luckiest Girl Alive'' is a 2015 New York Times Bestselling mystery novel written by the American author Jessica Knoll, and is her debut work. It was first published on May 12, 2015, by Simon & Schuster in the United States, and Pan Macmilla ...

''. Papandrea launched her current production company, Made Up Stories, in January 2017 to carry on her mission in championing female filmmakers, adapting female-written novels and creating stories featuring multi-faceted female characters. The company is also committed to inclusivity in less-acknowledged departments behind-the-scenes such as transportation teams and gaffers. Papandrea has expressed intent to start a foundation, Made Up Solutions, to provide opportunities for women from low socio-economic and diverse backgrounds. In April 2020, Papandrea and Gregg Fienberg founded the "It Takes Our Village" initiative, along with numerous A-list Hollywood producers to help raise money for below-the-line crews affected by COVID-19. Papandrea credited "below-the-line crews" as "the backbone of our industry". “They are our community – and our community is in need. This initiative is personal to me as I’m a working-class girl who grew up with unions protecting my family. I want to help provide that protection to those who are a vital part in creating stories; the stories that are providing escapism and comfort to people around the world."

Recognition

2015: Papandrea received the

Australians in Film Australians in Film (AiF) is a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization that serves the Australian community working in the film and television industry. It awards the annual Heath Ledger Scholarship to emerging Australian actors, as well as sev ...

International Award. 2018: Papandrea was honored by G'Day USA, receiving Outstanding Achievement in Film & TV Award. 2020: Papandrea won the Don Dunstan Award, and appeared "In Conversation" with one of the patrons of the

Adelaide Film Festival The Adelaide Film Festival (AFF, formerly ADLFF) is film festival usually held for two weeks in mid-October in cinemas in Adelaide, South Australia. Originally presented biennially in March from 2003, since 2013 AFF has been held in October ...

, Margaret Pomeranz in mid-October during the 2020 event. 2020: Papandrea was named to Variety's L.A. Women's Impact Report 2020. 2020: Papandrea was named as one of 40 Australians who mattered in Film & TV for 2020 by The Age's

Good Weekend ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' (''SMH'') is a daily compact newspaper published in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and owned by Nine. Founded in 1831 as the ''Sydney Herald'', the ''Herald'' is the oldest continuously published newspaper in ...

. 2021: Papandrea received the Australian Women's Film Festival (AWFF) Groundbreaker Award. 2021: Papandrea was included in The Hollywood Reporter's 2021 Women In Entertainment Power 100 2021: Papandrea was included in Deadline's DISRUPTORS 2021 class

Awards & Nominations

2000: Nominated for the Australia Film Institute (AFI) Award Best Film for '' Better Than Sex'' 2017: Winner of the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Limited Series for ''Big Little Lies'' 2018: Winner of the

Golden Globe The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of ...

for Best Television Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for ''Big Little Lies (season 1)'' 2018: Nominated for the

BAFTA TV Award The BAFTA TV Awards, or British Academy Television Awards are presented in an annual award show hosted by the BAFTA. They have been awarded annually since 1955. Background The first-ever Awards, given in 1955, consisted of six categories. Until ...

for Best International for ''Big Little Lies'' 2018: Nominated for the PGA Award for Outstanding Producer of Episode Television, Drama for ''Big Little Lies (season 1)'' 2019: Winner of the

AACTA Award for Best Film The AACTA Award for Best Film is an award presented by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA), a non-profit organisation whose aim is to "identify, award, promote, and celebrate Australia's greatest achievements in film and ...

for ''The Nightingale'' 2020: Winner of the Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards for Best Film for '' The Nightingale'' 2020: Nominated for the PGA Award for Outstanding Producer of Episode Television, Drama for ''Big Little Lies (season 2)'' 2020: Nominated for the

for Best Television Series, Drama for ''Big Little Lies (season 2)'' 2021: Nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Awards for Best Limited Series for '' The Undoing'' 2021: Nominated for the

for Best Limited Series or Television Film for '' The Undoing'' 2021: Nominated for the PGA Award's David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Limited Series Television for '' The Undoing''

Personal life

Papandrea is married to producer Steve Hutensky and gave birth to twins in 2012. She has

systemic lupus erythematosus Lupus, technically known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in many parts of the body. Symptoms vary among people and may be mild to severe. Commo ...

(lupus), diagnosed in August 2010, which causes her chronic joint pain.

Filmography

Before she started her own production companies, Papandrea produced various films with other companies, including: *'' Better Than Sex'' (2000) *''

'' (2006) *''

'' (2008) *''

'' (2009) *''

'' (2010) * ''

Not Suitable for Children ''Not Suitable for Children'' is a 2012 Australian romantic comedy film directed by Peter Templeman and written by Michael Lucas. It was released on 12 July 2012. It stars Ryan Kwanten, Sarah Snook, and Ryan Corr. Plot Jonah (Ryan Kwanten) ...

'' (2012)

Films

Television Series

Projects In Development

* Film adaptation of the

thriller Thriller may refer to: * Thriller (genre), a broad genre of literature, film and television ** Thriller film, a film genre under the general thriller genre Comics * ''Thriller'' (DC Comics), a comic book series published 1983–84 by DC Comics i ...

novel ''As Long As We Both Shall'' ''Live'' by JoAnn Chaney * Television adaption of ''The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart'' based on the

debut novel A debut novel is the first novel a novelist publishes. Debut novels are often the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to p ...

from Australian writer Holly Ringland * Adaptation of the

historical epic Epic films are a style of filmmaking with large-scale, sweeping scope, and spectacle. The usage of the term has shifted over time, sometimes designating a film genre and at other times simply synonymous with big-budget filmmaking. Like epics in ...

''The Lost Queen'' by Signe Pike for television * TV series based on the Jessica Knoll novel ''The Favorite Sister'' * A limited TV series on

Tina Brown Christina Hambley Brown, Lady Evans (born 21 November 1953), is an English journalist, magazine editor, columnist, talk-show host, and author of ''The Diana Chronicles'' (2007) a biography of Diana, Princess of Wales, '' The Vanity Fair Diarie ...

based on her book ''The Vanity Fair Diaries'' * Film adaptations of the YA

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy literature and d ...

books ''Stepsister'' and ''Poisoned'' by

Jennifer Donnelly Jennifer Donnelly (born August 16, 1963) is an American writer of young adult fiction best known for the historical novel '' A Northern Light''. ''A Northern Light'' was published as ''A Gathering Light'' in the U.K. There, it won the 2003 Car ...

with Lynette Howell Taylor's 51 Entertainment * The multi-generational novel ''The Last Anniversary'' by Liane Moriarty * TV adaption of

Christina Baker Kline Christina Baker Kline (born 1964) is an American novelist. She is the author of seven novels, including ''Orphan Train'', and has co-authored or edited five non-fiction books. Kline is a Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Fellowship recipient. Back ...

's new book ''The Exiles'' * TV show based on Greer Macallister's historical thriller ''Woman 99'' with

Nina Dobrev Nikolina Kamenova Dobreva ( bg, Николина Каменова Добрева, ; born January 9, 1989), credited professionally as Nina Dobrev ( ), is a Canadian actress. She is best known for portraying Elena Gilbert and Katherine Pierce o ...

* TV adaption of Marie Lu's '' Warcross'' with John Cameron * Feature film adaption of Christopher Paolini's first adult novel, the

sci-fi Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel universe ...

space opera Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes space warfare, with use of melodramatic, risk-taking space adventures, relationships, and chivalric romance. Set mainly or entirely in outer space, it features technological and soc ...

'' To Sleep in a Sea of Stars'' with Snoot Entertainment * Universal's film adaptation of Gayle Tzemach Lemmon's novel, ''Ashley's War: The Untold Story of a Team of Women Soldiers on the Special Ops Battlefield'' *TV adaption of Elizabeth Acevedo's dual-narrative YA Novel, ''Clap When You Land'' *Film adaptation of Gordon Reece's debut novel, Mice, in partnership with Nicole Kidman's Blossom Films *Film adaptation of Erin French's memoir, ''Finding Freedom: A Cook's Story; Remaking Life From Scratch'' *TV adaptation of Kirsten Miller's upcoming novel, ''The Change'', in partnership with Raelle Tucker

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Papandrea, Bruna Living people 1971 births People from Adelaide Australian film producers People with lupus Australian women film producers