EXCLUSIVE: Oscilloscope Laboratories has promoted Aaron Katz to SVP of Acquisitions and Development and Alexandra Fredricks as VP of Theatrical Sales with both reporting directly to Dan Berger, president of the New York-based distribution company.
Fredricks steps up after Andrew Carlin moved to Variance Films last month.
Katz, VP of Acquisitions since 2015, joined Oscilloscope in 2011. He recently brought in and executive produced Matthew Rankin’s Universal Language, Canada’s Academy Award submission this year that won the first-ever Directors’ Fortnight audience award at its Cannes premiere. He’s acquired and negotiated deals for Oscar-nominated Embrace Of The Serpent, Kedi and other staples of the catalog and served as EP on Vhyes by Jack Henry Robins and Relaxer by Joel Potrykus. The distrib is releasing Potrykus’ Vulcanizadora tomorrow, their fourth collaboration.
Fredricks has been with Oscilloscope since 2022 and steered festival runs for Joyland, Wildcat and Universal Language, among others. She has over 15 years of domestic and international experience in programming and sales at film exhibition organizations, independent theaters and festivals in New York, Qatar, Canada, Australia and The Netherlands including senior programming roles at Metrograph and the Doha Film Institute.
Upcoming releases include Luca Guadagnino’s Diciannove, Sundance-premiering OBEX from Albert Birney and Elizabeth Lo’s Venice-premiering documentary Mistress Dispeller.
Known for discovery and championing of filmmakers as well as restoration work and curated physical media collections, Oscilloscope’s previous releases run from Lynne Ramsay’s Golden Globe-nominated We Need to Talk About Kevin starring Tilda Swinton to Kelly Reichardt’s Wendy and Lucy and Meeks Cutoff, both starring Michelle Williams. Both directors have new films in competition at Cannes this year.
The distributor’s annual presentation of CatVideoFest recently broke $1 million at the box office, growing steadily for the past few years and raising money for local animal shelters.
“Oscilloscope is only as good as the people who stand behind the name and work tirelessly to find and champion worthy films from around the world with the love and dedication they deserve,” said Berger. “Aaron and Alex are two of those pillars — their cinephilia is palpable, their commitment unmatched, and they’re genuinely good humans. While they’ve both been here for years already and integral to what we’ve previously accomplished, I’m very excited for them to embrace these expanded roles and thrive that much more.”
