Hollywood Producer Phil Goldfine epitomizes the power of storytelling. Although his name may not be as instantly recognized as some, his impact on cinema is undeniable.
Phil has been involved in the production of over 200 movies and TV shows—and now, two Broadway Musicals. He has earned an Academy Award, an Emmy, and two Tonys. Yet, even though his career and contributions to celluloid have been prolific, he has remained resolutely under the radar.
“I’ve always focused more on the art, the craft of creating, and the business aspects rather than personal fame,” he explains.
This humble approach has endeared him to many in the industry, perhaps explaining why Phil’s reputation, while not always in the limelight, is respected.
His story begins not on the glitzy streets of Hollywood but in the imaginative playground of his childhood. “I was always captivated by stories,” Phil reminisces. “As a child, I would immerse myself in creating these magical, high-concept science fiction and fantasy tales. I never thought I’d get into the action business. And I definitely wasn’t thinking about the Christmas or Halloween business. It was just about writing stories. By doing that, I realized I had a great imagination. It was when I was in a college English class that I realized through my professor that I had a great imagination.”
Phil’s childhood passion for storytelling was the seed that would grow into a lifelong pursuit of filmmaking. It was a chance encounter with the legendary Lucille Ball when he was eight years old, facilitated by his father, which proved to be a pivotal moment. “Meeting Lucille Ball was like glimpsing into the future of what I could be a part of,” Phil recalls. “She was a powerhouse, a trailblazer in the industry, and responsible for greenlighting some of the most important television programs in the industry. That meeting left a lasting impression on me.”
However, it could be said his defining moment was when he snuck onto the Universal Studios lot in LA as a teenager to give Alfred Hitchcock a birthday card.
“He was really nice to me and very friendly,” recalls Phil. “I think I manifested my life because when I was standing in his office, I told myself this was where I wanted to be.”
Today, the producer has had an office on the Universal lot a few doors down from Hitchcock’s for the past three decades.
Phil’s passion for filmmaking shines through as he speaks of his work with fervor, emphasizing the industry’s collaborative nature. “The real joy in filmmaking is the collaboration, the deep bonds you form with your team,” he asserts. “It’s about creating narratives that resonate, that move and entertain people.”
“I love the people I work with, and I love the closeness you develop with a crew when you work together on a movie or TV show. But it’s also about leaving something behind with the work that makes an impact and is tangible to someone.”
Phil adds that he is always surprised by how his work can inspire in the most unusual ways: “I never thought doing a slasher film would be defining for someone when they watched it. But I have had people tell me that a movie has inspired them and made them make decisions or escape from their daily lives. So I feel like I am making a contribution by enabling them to do that.”
What drives a producer like Phil? “It’s about pushing the envelope, being true to the stories that resonate with me,” he says. He cites his movie The Ravine, which is based on a true story, as one of the films he is most proud of. “I really liked the themes of the movie, the people, and the story itself. It didn’t perform as well as I’d hoped it would, but I am still proud of it. I’m one of those guys who thinks about something you really believe in and that you really love and you’re passionate about. And it will find an audience, even though it may take time.”
Phil recalls Richard Attenborough giving a talk at his film school telling the class about Gandhi and how it took the director 20 years to get it made. “I thought if he can wait 20 years, I can wait a few years yet,” he laughs.
Phil says he particularly likes making comedies because they make people feel good: “That’s the great thing about comedies. And then people talk about them years later. I obviously like sci-fi because it goes back to my childhood. But I also like Christmas movies because it’s hard to make one that won’t make people smile and just feel good about themselves.”
His upcoming project, And Love Knocked, marries his two favorite genres—it’s a romantic comedy set against a Christmas backdrop. “This film is a blend of warmth, emotion, and the complexity of human relationships—elements I am always excited to explore,” Phil shares.
In an era of technology redefining filmmaking, the producer holds a balanced view of AI’s role in the creative process. “AI can be a helpful tool, but it can’t replace the emotional depth, the personal nuances that come from human creativity,” he states.
Phil believes in embracing technology while staying true to the human element of storytelling. His narrative is not just one of success and accolades but a story of persistence, passion, and vision. “In Hollywood, it’s about pursuing your vision relentlessly without being held back by what you think you can’t achieve,” he reflects. His three accolades are undoubtedly a testament to that. Phil won his first award, an Emmy, for the variety series El Vacilon in 2011.
Ironically, he didn’t even go to the ceremony, but the statuette was delivered in a shoe box a few days later at brunch. However, it fueled Phil’s ambition to go for the triple. He went to see the acclaimed mindset author and lecturer Bob Proctor with a determination to win an Oscar.
Thanks to Producer Nicholas Reed, Phil was able to realize his dream in 2014 with an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject with The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life.
“I think Everybody has the right to go for what they want,” reveals the acclaimed producer. “You just need to concentrate on those results and make them happen. And believe that if you can see it happening in your mind, you can make it a reality.”
Thanks to the then executive and now producer, Robert Greenblatt, and his generosity in 2019, Phil added a Tony to his collection for his work on Tootsie the Musical. “I have to say the Tony Awards party was the best; the best food, and it was a crazy time. It wasn’t just one party, it was about 100! The Tony’s was definitely one of the wildest times I’ve ever had at an awards ceremony!”
What is in store for Phil this year? Apart from his work on And Love Knocked, he has 10 projects in post-production and more in pre-production.
Phil’s production companies, Hollywood Media Bridge and Project Z Entertainment, showcase his journey across various genres, from heartwarming holiday tales to gripping dramas and hair-raising horrors. The diversity of his movies mirrors his versatile storytelling prowess.
“My passion is to tell stories that can inspire and educate as well as entertain,” says Phil.
“And I count myself very lucky to be able to do it for a living and make a good living doing it.”
It’s no surprise Phil has achieved such success as he imparts his final piece of wisdom: “Decide what you want, and go for it without being hindered by limiting beliefs. Then anything is possible.” These words encapsulate the essence of a man who has dedicated his life to turning imagination into cinematic art, a true virtuoso of storytelling.
Photography by: Courtesy of Phillip B. Goldfine
