posted 02-28-2011 03:30 PM                

quote:

---

Gary Winick, who rose to fame directing mainstream films like Letters to Juliet and 13 Going on 30, but is more well-known for his independent films, died on Sunday, his manager at Anonymous Content, Rosalie Swedlin, tells The Hollywood Reporter. He was 49.

In 1999, Winick founded InDigEnt, which went on to produce nineteen indepedent films over the next 10 years, including Winick's Tadpole, which he sold to Miramax for $6 million at the 2002 Sundance film Festival.

Winick was suffering from brain cancer for quite some time, and it metastasized throughout his body. After his first surgery, he went on to direct Letters to Juliet.

Cinetic Media's Matt Dentler first announced the news on Twitter Sunday: Gary Winick died today. Too late to make the Oscars tribute, but way too early. He leaves behind a legacy of supporting indie film and NYC."

A memorial service is still being planned, and people will be asked to donate to charity. The funeral will be private.

"He was very special to me," Swedlin tells THR. "He was a dear friend as well as a longtime client. Gary was an incredibly important figure in the indie movement. He will be missed."

---