‘Conclave‘ Producer Michael A. Jackman Talks the Significance of the Film on the Heels of a SAG Victory and Eight Oscar Nominations.
At the 2025 Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, ‘Conclave‘ took home the honor of Best Ensemble, and Ralph Fiennes earned a nomination for Best Male Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Cardinal Lawrence in this gripping thriller. Based on the
‘Conclave’ Producer Michael A. Jackman
acclaimed novel by Robert Harris, ‘Conclave‘ delves into the intense drama behind the election of a new pope after the sudden death of the sitting pontiff. The College of Cardinals convenes in the Sistine Chapel, where power struggles, secrets, and revelations unfold in a tense, high-stakes environment. Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Edward Berger (‘All Quiet on the Western Front‘), the film is not only a mystery but a deep exploration of tradition, morality, and power within the Catholic Church.
Producer Michael A. Jackman, a seasoned film and television producer and entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience in every aspect of motion picture production, from development and production to post-production and global distribution helped bring ‘Conclave‘ to the big screen. His expertise combines traditional creative vision, hands-on production skills, and a deep understanding of emerging technologies.
I had the opportunity to speak with Jackman about ‘Conclave‘, the Vatican’s reaction to the novel by Harris, and how the film brought these elements to life. He also shared insights on how the film accurately captured the vestments of the various seas of the Catholic Church, thanks to Costume Designer Lisy Christl’s meticulous attention to detail. I was curious if fifth century, Lebanese saint, Marina the Monk, had inspired one of the characters in the novel and film, to which Jackman offered some fascinating insights.
‘Conclave‘ has garnered widespread acclaim and is nominated for eight Oscars, including:
Best Actor in a Leading Role: Ralph Fiennes
Actress in a Supporting Role: Isabella Rossellini
Editing: Nick Emerson
Production Design: Suzie Davies and Cynthia Sleiter
Adapted Screenplay: Peter Straughan
Original Score: Volker Bertelmann
Costume Design: Lisy Christl
The film also won the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay.
In addition to his work on ‘Conclave‘, Michael served as Executive Vice President of Physical Production and Post at FilmNation Entertainment for 12 years.
The 97th Oscars will air live on ABC on Sunday, March 2, 2025, live on ABC and streamed live on Hulu.
