James Schamus' Last Focus Venture Spurs Oscar Talk at U.S. Premiere

Last night marked both the premiere of a film and an end of an era for Focus Features.

The company premiered its film, Dallas Buyers Club, Thursday night in Los Angeles at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. For James Schamus, this was the final title to be released under his oversight as CEO of Focus Features.

Schamus was replaced two weeks ago as CEO by Peter Schlessel from FilmDistrict. Despite this, the premiere night was still celebratory for Schamus. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he was upbeat at the event and "will continue lending his support to the awards campaign for the AIDS drama."

According to Deadline, "In a classy move, Schlessel stayed away from the premiere, letting Schamus and his team have the spotlight for the Oscar-touted movie that could represent the end of a great art house era for Focus — a company which may be focusing on more mainstream and genre films (at least in part) in the future."

The film stars Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodroof, an early AIDS victim and crusader. The Texas electrician fought the FDA and pharmaceutical companies for anti-viral medications after his HIV diagnosis in the 1980s.

Schamus is hopeful that Dallas Buyers Club is Oscar-worthy.

“This film is very important and we have believed in it from the beginning," Schamus told Pete Hammond of Deadline. "We are taking this one all the way to the altar, all the way, and I am going to be there for it.”

The Oscar talk surrounds McConaughey's portrayal of Woodroff. McConaughey lost nearly 40 pounds for the role, and Deadline called his performance a "near-certain first Best Actor Oscar nomination." At the film's Toronto premiere, talk surfaced of Jared Leto's portrayal of a transsexual AIDS victim, a role that may land him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.

Legendary producer, Cassian Elwes, who worked on Dallas Buyers Club, was a member on ScreenCraft's first panel. Check out the video from the panel here.