We're often asked this question.  Let us tell you a story.

When Monica Penders and Meredith Garlick first became friends they were about seven years old and met through their fathers Dr. Chris Penders and Dr. Harry Garlick.   Both fathers taught at the University of Queensland which is in Brisbane, Australia, in History and English respectively.

Fast forward nearly 30 years and the two Brisbane friends reconnect in New York.  Monica had been transferred by Lend Lease from Sydney to New York to take up a role in communications and discovered Meredith (through their equine surgeon friend - but that's another story!)  who was wrapping up her Master of Fine Arts majoring in producing at Columbia University.

We joined forces and, in deciding to form our own film company, faced the trickiest hurdle - what the company should be called.  We wanted some connection to Australia and our childhood ... many coffees and drinks later ...

Brisbane Brats was one suggestion but it didn't seem conducive to persuading investors to part with money.   Brissie Gals was another but once again didn't inspire great confidence.   We wanted a solid, old-establishment name.  And then we thought back to how we met all those years ago, through our parents at UQ, when we would roam freely through the cloistered walks of the Great Court.

Forgan-Smith is the big sandstone building adorned with gargoyles and carvings that our fathers taught in (and Meredith at one stage studied in and Monica as a child illegally rollerskated in).  Forgan-Smith Entertainment just seemed to be the right name.

When Meredith introduced Jennifer Smith (no relation) as our vital third partner, she just happened to have the right surname!  Except now, of course, she's the one who has to answer the question ... "But who's Forgan?"