Robin Lim, the co-founder and president of Avatar Films, has died in New York unexpectedly. He was 33 years old.
Created in 2000, Avatar Films emerged under Lim’s leadership as a dynamic force in independent cinema. The company made national headlines last year in its successful release of Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s award-winning feature Kandahar,” which was named Best Picture of the Year by Time Magazine. The company’s current release, Benoit Jacquot’s critically-acclaimed adaptation of the Puccini opera “Tosca,” opened on July 12 in New York to rave reviews.
Born in Singapore, Lim came to the film industry after receiving his MBA from Columbia University. From 1996-97, he supervised foreign television sales for Tapestry International. From 1997-99, he was manager of theatrical
booking and acquisitions for IN Pictures, where he brought such films as Nick Broomfield’s “Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam” and “The Knowledge of Healing” to art house release across the United States.
Lim launched Avatar Films two years ago with the release of
“Bookwars,” a documentary on the world of New York’s curbside booksellers. Avatar followed this with Bruno de Almeida’s documentary “The Art of Amalia,” celebrating the musical legacy of Portuguese diva Amalia Rodrigues. In
2001, Avatar imported Cesc Gay’s award-winning coming-of-age drama Nico and Dani and released two documentaries: “New York in the Fifties,” a tribute to
the artistic heritage of postwar Manhattan, and “Keeping it Real: The Adventures of Greg Walloch,” a celebration of the disabled gay comedian/actor.
Avatar Films will continue to pursue Lim’s vision of bringing high quality art house films to the U.S., including the national release of “Tosca” and other new projects. Lim’s funeral was recently held in his
native Singapore. Condolences for the Lim family may be sent care of –
Avatar Films ^ 150 West 28th Street, #1803, New York, NY 10001 ^ or www.avatarfilms.com ^ or 212-675-0300.
19 years later still miss him daily!