MGM Converting UA Pictures to Specialty Films

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is converting its United Artists Pictures unit to a specialty-film production division, focusing on smaller-budget films by independent makers.

The money-losing movie and entertainment company, which owns one of the largest film libraries in the world with more than 5,000 titles, said all mainstream film production and existing UA staff will move to MGM Pictures under President Michael Nathanson. UA President Lindsay Doran will become an independent producer with MGM, the company said.

MGM’s UA division was founded in 1919 by Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith as a distribution channel for independent filmmakers.

The restructured UA will focus on acquiring and producing films costing about $10 million.