Saban Films Ups Executives

28 Jun, 2017 By: Erik Gruenwedel

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Saban Films June 28 announced Jonathan Saba has been promoted to SVP of distribution, sales and marketing, and Ness Saban has been named VP of business development.

Saban Films has released 23 films since its launch in 2014, with another 22 acquired and slated to be released through 2018. With their combined efforts, Saba and Saban have led the company to ongoing double-digit growth in both revenue and profitability. Both have been with Saban Films since its inception, and will continue reporting to company president Bob Bromiley.

“In today’s rapidly changing media landscape, [Saba and Saban] continue to rise with their extraordinary instincts, tenacity and expertise,” Bromiley said.

Saban Films acquires commercial, talent-driven films to be released theatrically as well as across various digital platforms.

Saba supervises the release strategy and marketing campaigns for the company’s entire slate, including Rob Zombie’s 31, one of the highest grossing pre-theatrical VOD movies of all-time. He has also led Saban Films’ sales and distribution efforts, including negotiating output and license deals with Amazon, Netflix, Starz, Showtime and HBO, and spearheading the company’s entry into Canada.

Prior to Saban Films, Saba held executive positions at Anchor Bay Films (now owned by Lionsgate), Image Entertainment (now owned by RLJ Entertainment), Criterion Collection and Rilean Pictures.

Saban has spearheaded the acquisition of almost 50 films in less than three years, including the Tommy Lee Jones Western The Homesman, Ethan Hawke’s upcoming action/thriller 24 Hours to Live, and thriller Small Town Crime.

The company continues to be a very active buyer at festivals such as Berlin, Cannes, Toronto and Sundance. Acquisitions run the gamut from theatrical films such as The Homesman, starring Hilary Swank, to premiere VOD titles including I Am Wrath, starring John Travolta.

Most recent titles include Simon West’s Gun Shy, starring Antonio Banderas and Olga Kurylenko, and John Travolta’s Speed Kills. Upcoming titles include Ric Roman Waugh’s Shot Caller, starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Lake Bell; Sean Penn’s The Last Face, starring Charlize Theron and Javier Bardem; John Stockwell’s Armed Response, starring Wesley Snipes and Anne Heche; Alexandros Avranas’ True Crime, starring Jim Carrey; and FilmNation’s sci-fi film Kill Switch, starring Dan Stevens and Bérénice Marlohe.

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