Jean-Pierre Lavoignat started as a journalist at Agence France Presse in Paris. He then launched with his fellow journalist Marc Esposito two magazines, PREMIERE first and then STUDIO MAGAZINE, whose success, as early as the 80’s, changed the landscape of film magazines. He was PREMIERE’s director from 1982 to 1986 and STUDIO’s director from 1987 to 2006.He was also a film commentator on channels France 5, Canal + and France Infos.

Since he left STUDIO MAGAZINE, after being curator of the first extensive Romy Schneider exhibition, he has shared his time between writing books with prominent figures from the world of cinema such as Catherine Deneuve, Pierre Lescure, Dominique Besnehard, Gérard Oury – Rabbi Jacob’s director – and his daughter Danièle Thompson and producing and making documentaries portraying actors and directors : Steven Spielberg, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, James Gray, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Audrey Tautou, Jean Dujardin, John Landis, Alan Parker, etc. for channels Canal + Cinéma and OCS Cinéma. Recently, three documentaries portraying the three most prestigious Mexican film directors in Hollywood, Alfonso Cuaron, Alejandro Inarritu and Guillermo Del Toro, were selected at the Festival Lumière in Lyon.

Since 2013, Jean-Pierre Lavoignat has also kept on working with UGC, STUDIO’s former shareholder, selecting and presenting world film classics at « UGC Culte » weekly screenings.

Languages spoken: French

Photo credit: Christopher Poulain