Sometimes discovering a gem of a film can make your career. Thus was the case with Chris Zarpas. A law school graduate, he went to work as a film buyer for the East Coast-based Circle Theatres chain. After a screening of Ethan and Joel Coen's "Blood Simple", Zarpas returned to his bosses and convinced them to establish a distribution company to handle the film. Circle Films, Inc was established with Zarpas at the helm. The company's first release, "Blood Simple" (1984) not only launched the Coen brothers as creative forces in American cinema but also Zarpas' career as well. A few years later,
While working as film buyer for Circle Theatre chain discovered Coen Brothers' "Blood Simple"; convinced company to form Circle Films to distribute the movie
Served as domestic marketing and distribution VP at Circle Releasing
1987
Joined Touchstone Pictures as vice president of production; later named president of production and acquisitions
1989
Joined Island Pictures in acquisitions
1990
Promoted to co-president (with Mark Burg) of Island Pictures (date approximate)
