EXCLUSIVE: Topic Studios, the independent studio behind the acclaimed musical comedy Theater Camp, is expanding its creative team with the appointment of Jasmine Daghighian as Vice President of Film. Daghighian, previously with 500 Blows, will be responsible for developing and overseeing projects from start to finish. Based in New York City, she will report to Ryan Heller, Executive Vice President of Film and Documentary.
This hiring follows Topic’s recent appointment of Jennifer Westin as Senior Vice President of Physical Production. Westin, formerly with Netflix, will oversee production for Topic Studios’ diverse slate of projects. Remy Love has also been promoted to Manager, Film, rounding out the scripted film team.
Daghighian’s arrival at Topic Studios comes at an exciting time for the company, as Theater Camp achieved one of the year’s biggest limited openings. The film, directed by Nick Lieberman and Molly Gordon, grossed $301,220 in its first three days on just a few screens. Topic’s next release is the romantic dramedy Shortcomings, directed by Randall Park and starring Justin H. Min, Sherry Cola, and Ally Maki.
In addition to its successful film releases, Topic Studios has received six Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series, for its HBO surfing docuseries 100 Foot Wave. The studio’s commitment to quality storytelling has earned it a reputation for championing compelling projects.
Heller expressed his excitement about Daghighian joining the team, praising her taste, passion, and effectiveness. Daghighian herself expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with a company that prioritizes artists and supports independent film.
During her time at 500 Blows, Daghighian worked on developing series adaptations of Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar and Judy Blume’s Wifey. She also contributed to upcoming projects such as Is This Legal? (Amazon) and I Heard It Was Tough (Netflix). Her previous experience includes working on acclaimed films such as Ruben Östlund’s The Square and Triangle of Sadness, Mindy Kaling and Nisha Ganatra’s Late Night, and Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon.
Topic Studios has an exciting lineup of projects in the works, including the pop music melodrama Mother Mary, directed by David Lowery and starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel. Stay tuned for more exciting releases from Topic Studios.
