Variety Names Matt Donnelly Executive Editor of Film
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- Variety promoted investigative journalist Matt Donnelly to Executive Editor of Film, succeeding Brent Lang who is leaving the publication after 12 years
- Donnelly assumes the role on August 17 in Los Angeles, overseeing all film coverage across Variety's print weekly and website — including breaking news, analysis, investigative reporting, festival coverage and Hollywood culture chronicles
- Brent Lang is departing Variety to become editor-in-chief of rival trade outlet IndieWire after a 12-year tenure
- Donnelly joined Variety in 2018 as a senior film writer and has authored cover stories on Ted Sarandos, Nicole Kidman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Demi Moore and Meghan Markle
- Variety co-editors-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh and Cynthia Littleton called Donnelly one of the 'toughest — and most fun — reporters covering Hollywood' with deep sources and an extensive Rolodex
- Donnelly previously held positions at the Los Angeles Times, TheWrap, Yahoo and the New York Post, and holds a journalism degree from Temple University; he is based in Hollywood with screenwriter partner Donny Sheldon and their dog Chester
Why it matters: The swap marks a notable cross-publication migration between two leading Hollywood trade outlets — Lang exits Variety after 12 years for IndieWire, while Donnelly inherits the film desk on August 17. Donnelly's track record includes breaking major industry stories such as the downfall of Ellen DeGeneres, the implosion of 'America's Got Talent' and the shuttering of Participant Media.
