{{short description|American film and television producer}} {{Infobox person | name = Cami Winikoff | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = <!-- {{birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} for living people --> | birth_place = | other_names = | occupation = Producer | years_active = 1984–present | known_for = | employer = Sobini Films | spouse = Scott Greco | children = Monika Wesley<br>Steven Greco | notable_works = }} '''Cami Sarah Winikoff''' is an American film and television producer and the current president and co-founder of Sobini Films. She was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/motion-picture-academy-adds-842-new-members-half-are-women-1202640500/ |title=Motion Picture Academy Adds 842 New Members, Half Of Whom Are Women |work=Deadline |first=Pete |last=Hammond |date=July 1, 2019 |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305141607/https://deadline.com/2019/07/motion-picture-academy-adds-842-new-members-half-are-women-1202640500/ |archive-date=March 5, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Career== ===Independent=== Winikoff began an independent producer.<ref name="variety" /> Her first feature ''Scarecrows'' was released in 1988.{{citation needed|date=April 2026}}
===Trimark Pictures=== Winikoff joined Trimark Pictures in August 1990.<ref name="variety">{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2000/scene/people-news/winikoff-upped-at-trimark-pics-1117781037/ |title=Winikoff upped at Trimark Pics |work=Variety |first=Dana |last=Harris |date=April 28, 2000 |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326191605/https://variety.com/2000/scene/people-news/winikoff-upped-at-trimark-pics-1117781037/ |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> She was appointed director of production in 1991, promoted to vice president of production in 1995, and again to senior vice president in January 1997.<ref name="variety" /> Winikoff began to serve as executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Trimark in September 1997, where she oversaw all business, legal affairs, production, post-production, servicing and administration for the company.<ref name="variety" /><ref name="screendaily">{{cite news |url=https://www.screendaily.com/cami-winikoff-named-coo-at-trimark-pictures/402259.article |title=Cami Winikoff named COO at Trimark Pictures |work=Screen Daily |first=Mike |last=Goodridge |date=May 3, 2000 |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326190043/https://www.screendaily.com/cami-winikoff-named-coo-at-trimark-pictures/402259.article |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> She also sat on the board of directors of CinemaNow.com, dedicated to the streaming and production of niche-oriented independent films.<ref name="variety" /><ref name="screendaily" />
Winikoff was promoted to chief operating officer at Trimark in 2000 and oversaw all operational facets of the company including its production arm and green-light process.<ref name="variety" /><ref name="screendaily" /> This included the administration of theatrical, television, and home entertainment productions.<ref name="variety02" /> She helped build the company and was a key player in negotiations with its merger with Lionsgate in late 2000.<ref name="variety02" />
At Trimark, she headed the production of over 75 films.<ref name="bio">{{cite web |url=http://www.sobinifilms.com/about-1/cami-winikoff/ |title=Cami Winikoff |work=Sobini Films |access-date=2020-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326221929/http://www.sobinifilms.com/about-1/cami-winikoff/ |archive-date=2020-03-26 |url-status=live }}</ref> Her production credits include ''Eve's Bayou'', winner of Independent Spirit Awards), directed by Kasi Lemmons, starring Samuel L. Jackson; ''Frida'', winner of two Academy Awards, starring Salma Hayek; ''Love and a .45'' starring Renée Zellweger and Gil Bellows; ''Kicking and Screaming'' by Noah Baumbach; ''Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love'' by Mira Nair; and the Leprechaun film series.{{citation needed|date=April 2026}}
===Lionsgate=== After the merger with Lionsgate, Winikoff served as its executive vice president, where she helped build the company's executive team and business plan.<ref name="bio" />
===Sobini Films=== Winikoff was tapped as the president of Sobini Films in 2002.<ref name="variety02">{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2002/film/news/winikoff-tapped-prexy-of-amin-s-sobini-films-1117860816/ |title=Winikoff tapped prexy of Amin’s Sobini Films |work=Variety |first=Cathy |last=Dunkley |date=February 14, 2002 |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326192243/https://variety.com/2002/film/news/winikoff-tapped-prexy-of-amin-s-sobini-films-1117860816/ |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> In her time at Sobini, she has developed a diverse range of feature films and franchises.<ref name="bio" /> Her credits include ''JT Leroy'' starring Kristen Stewart and Laura Dern; ''I'd Kill for You'' with her daughter Monika Wesley; ''Mary Shelley'' starring Elle Fanning; ''Miles Ahead'' starring Don Cheadle; ''Good Kill'' starring Ethan Hawke; ''Stonehearst Asylum'' starring Kate Beckinsale; ''An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong'' for HBO, recipient of the National Parenting Publications Gold Award; and ''Streets of Legend''.{{citation needed|date=April 2026}} She also produced the documentary ''Jujitsu-ing Reality'', shortlisted for the 2013 Best Documentary Short Subject Academy Award.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/oscars-reveal-shortlist-8-doc-shorts/ |title=Academy Reveals Oscar Shortlist of Doc Shorts |work=The Wrap |date=October 10, 2013 |first=Michael |last=Balderston |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329130151/https://www.thewrap.com/oscars-reveal-shortlist-8-doc-shorts/ |archive-date=March 29, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
She produced ''The Prince & Me'' starring Julia Stiles for Paramount Studios and its sequels.<ref name="variety10">{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2010/tv/news/sobini-films-launches-tv-division-1118022874/ |title=Sobini Films launches TV division |work=Variety |first=Jon |last=Weisman |date=August 12, 2010 |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326215008/https://variety.com/2010/tv/news/sobini-films-launches-tv-division-1118022874/ |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> As the producer of ''Peaceful Warrior'' starring Nick Nolte,<ref name="hollywoodreporter">{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/movies-aid-search-greater-meaning-133396 |title=Movies aid search for 'greater meaning' |work=Hollywood Reporter |first=Gail |last=Schiller |date=April 4, 2007 |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326200703/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/movies-aid-search-greater-meaning-133396 |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> she was inspired by the film, and not satisfied by its minimal exposure, worked with Adam Fogelson of Universal Pictures to test a new marketing plan, giving away tickets at Best Buy to gain a wider audience.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.timesheraldonline.com/2007/03/16/millmans-warrior-gets-new-life/ |title=Millman’s "Warrior" gets new life |work=Vallejo Times-Herald |date=March 16, 2007 |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422153241/https://www.timesheraldonline.com/2007/03/16/millmans-warrior-gets-new-life/ |archive-date=April 22, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/a-peaceful-marketing-bid-131999 |title=A 'Peaceful' marketing bid |work=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Nicole |last=Sperling |date=March 14, 2007 |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326200720/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/a-peaceful-marketing-bid-131999 |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://slate.com/culture/2007/03/plus-why-is-universal-giving-away-free-tickets-to-peaceful-warrior.html |title=Plus, why is Universal giving away free tickets to Peaceful Warrior? |work=Slate |first=Kim |last=Masters |date=March 26, 2007 |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326203845/https://slate.com/culture/2007/03/plus-why-is-universal-giving-away-free-tickets-to-peaceful-warrior.html |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
She is currently developing ''Z'', a reboot of the Zorro franchise.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2016/05/gael-garcia-bernal-zorro-movie-jonas-cuaron-z-sobini-films-lantica-1201752043/ |title=Gael García Bernal To Become Jonás Cuarón’s Swashbuckler In Zorro Reboot – Cannes |first=Anita |last=Busch |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=May 9, 2016 |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404081114/https://deadline.com/2016/05/gael-garcia-bernal-zorro-movie-jonas-cuaron-z-sobini-films-lantica-1201752043/ |archive-date=April 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Activism== Winikoff has been active in promoting dark skies in Malibu, California, as president of the Malibu Community Alliance (MCA). She negotiated with local agencies for five years to develop a new dark skies ordinance, which took effect October 15, 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.radiomalibu.net/lighting-ordinance-delayed/ |title=Lighting Ordinance Adopted but Delayed to Oct. 15 |work=KBUU |date=April 24, 2018}}</ref> Previously, she and the MCA settled with the Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District over an appeal to the California Coastal Commission regarding Malibu High School's upgraded lighting in 2016.<ref name="canyon">{{cite news |url=https://www.canyon-news.com/measure-bb-to-begin-at-malibu-high-school/47894 |title=Measure BB To Begin At Malibu High School |work=Canyon News |date=February 24, 2016 |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326210528/https://www.canyon-news.com/measure-bb-to-begin-at-malibu-high-school/47894 |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Coastal Commission approved the settlement.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.malibutimes.com/news/article_6a97fc36-074a-11e6-ab64-e7170339a162.html |title=MHS Lighting Agreement Earns Coastal Commission Approval |first=Emily |last=Sawicki |work=Malibu Times |date=April 21, 2016 |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326212000/http://www.malibutimes.com/news/article_6a97fc36-074a-11e6-ab64-e7170339a162.html |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Winikoff has also served on the board of Malibu Unites, a local advocacy group that pressured the school district's handling of toxins.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.malibutimes.com/news/article_fd596d88-d610-11e3-a237-0019bb2963f4.html |title=Malibu Unites Keeps Gaining Momentum |work=Malibu Times |first1=Nancy |last1=Sagona |first2=Daniel |last2=Halem |date=May 7, 2014 |access-date=May 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326211235/http://www.malibutimes.com/news/article_fd596d88-d610-11e3-a237-0019bb2963f4.html |archive-date=March 26, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Title ! Role |- | 1988 | ''Scarecrows'' | Producer |- | 1993 | ''Leprechaun'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1993 | ''Philadelphia Experiment II'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1993 | ''Return of the Living Dead 3'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1993 | ''Warlock: The Armageddon'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1994 | ''A Million to Juan'' | Executive in Charge of Production |- | 1994 | ''Dangerous Touch'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1994 | ''Frank and Jesse'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1994 | ''Hong Kong '97'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1994 | ''Leprechaun 2'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1994 | ''Love and a .45'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1994 | ''The Stoned Age'' | Production Director |- | 1995 | ''A Kid in King Arthur's Court'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1995 | ''Evolver'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1995 | ''Heatseeker'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1995 | ''Kicking and Screaming'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1995 | ''Leprechaun 3'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1995 | ''The Maddening'' | Executive in Charge of Production |- | 1995 | ''Night of the Running Man'' | Production Executive |- | 1995 | ''Return to Two Moon Junction'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1995 | ''Separate Lives'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1996 | ''Crossworlds'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1996 | ''The Dentist'' | Executive in Charge of Production |- | 1996 | ''Never Ever'' | Executive in Charge of Production |- | 1996 | ''Pinocchio's Revenge'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1996 | ''Public Enemies'' | Production Executive |- | 1996 | ''Sometimes They Come Back... Again'' | Executive in Charge of Production |- | 1996 | ''Two Guys Talkin' About Girls'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1997 | ''Eve's Bayou'' | Co-Producer |- | 1997 | ''Sprung'' | Production Supervisor |- | 1997 | ''Star Kid'' | Co-Producer |- | 1997 | ''Trucks'' | Executive in Charge of Production |- | 1998 | ''Ground Control'' | Chief Administration Officer |- | 1999 | ''Held Up'' | Executive in Charge of Production |- | 1999 | ''The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn'' | Executive in Charge of Production |- | 2001 | ''Route 666'' | Executive Producer |- | 2003 | ''Streets of Legend'' | Co-Producer |- | 2004 | ''The Prince & Me'' | Executive Producer |- | 2006 | ''Peaceful Warrior'' | Producer, Actress |- | 2008 | ''The Prince & Me 3: A Royal Honeymoon'' | Executive Producer |- | 2009 | ''An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong'' | Producer |- | 2010 | ''Burning Bright'' | Producer |- | 2011 | ''Jujitsu-ing Reality'' | Producer |- | 2013 | ''Sexy Evil Genius'' | Executive Producer |- | 2014 | ''Good Kill'' | Executive Producer |- | 2014 | ''Stonehearst Asylum'' | Executive Producer |- | 2015 | ''Miles Ahead'' | Co-Executive Producer |- | 2016 | ''Field of Screams: Cami Winikoff on Scarecrows'' | Self |- | 2017 | ''Mary Shelley'' | Executive Producer |- | 2018 | ''I'd Kill for You'' | Producer |- | 2018 | ''JT LeRoy'' | Executive Producer |- | 2020 | ''Emperor'' | Producer |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|0935121|Cami Winikoff}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Winikoff, Cami}} Category:American film studio executives Category:American film production company founders Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:American women film producers