Longtime executives Lisa Nishimura and Ian Bricke depart Netflix

Netflix is restructuring its film group to make fewer movies each year and centralize decision-making, the company announced. The streamer will combine units that produce small and midsize pictures, a change that will result in a handful of layoffs and the departure of two of its most experienced executives: Lisa Nishimura and Ian Bricke.

Lisa Nishimura, who led Netflix into stand-up comedy and original documentaries, will depart after more than 15 years at the company. Until now, she was responsible for documentaries and smaller-budget films as Vice President of Independent Film and Documentary Features, reporting to Scott Stuber, Chairman of Netflix Film.

“Lisa Nishimura joined Netflix in the DVD days, and as the company moved into streaming, she built our original documentary and stand-up comedy divisions from the ground up, and established Netflix as a powerhouse in both spaces. Her documentary work includes ‘American Factory,’ ‘My Octopus Teacher,’ ‘Making a Murderer,’ and ‘Tiger King’; and on the narrative film side her work includes Jane Campion’s ‘The Power of the Dog,’ and the upcoming ‘They Cloned Tyrone,’ ‘Rustin’ and ‘NYAD.’ Along the way, she has been a champion for inclusion on and off screen, a leader and mentor to countless colleagues, and a trusted partner to the creative community,”  Scott Stuber said.

Meanwhile, Ian Bricke, Vice President of Original Independent Film, is also leaving after more than a decade. Bricke helped make “The Kissing Booth” movie franchise and worked with filmmakers such as Nicole Holofcener and the Duplass brothers. Moreover, he backed acclaimed dramas like “Private Life,” “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” and “The Land of Steady Habits,” among others, as well as championing new filmmakers.

“Ian Bricke has been at the company for more than a decade, building and leading our independent film team, attracting filmmakers like Tamara Jenkins, Nicole Holofcener, and Mark and Jay Duplass. He also championed fan favorites like ‘The Kissing Booth’ and established our Emerging Filmmaker Initiative. We thank them both for their contributions to making us a world-class film studio and wish them the best for the future,”  Stuber added.