The company has released almost 60 films since its launch in May 2014, with 30 films slated to be released in 2019
LOS ANGELES (March 27, 2019) – Saban Films announced today that Chief Financial Officer Shanan Becker will expand his responsibilities and add the title of Chief Operating Officer. Becker has served as the Chief Financial Officer at Saban Films since 2014, when he co-founded the company alongside President Bill Bromiley. Simultaneously, the company announced that Jonathan Saba has extended his contract as Senior Vice President for the indie studio.
“My partnership with Shanan has extended across most of the last decade, and I’m pleased he is taking on more responsibility as Saban Films’ growth accelerates,” said President of Saban Films Bill Bromiley. He continued, “Jonathan has been a key driver of the company’s success and has taken on multiple roles over the years. I’m excited that he will be with us for the foreseeable future.”
The Los Angeles-based film acquisition and distribution company which focuses on commercially viable talent-driven films both theatrically as well as across digital platforms, has seen increased growth over the last few years. The company has released almost 60 films since its launch in May 2014, with 30 films slated to be released in 2019, alongside record revenue and profitability.
Saban Films most recently acquired North American rights to Kevin Smith’s highly-anticipated Jay and Silent Bob Get a Reboot, the sequel to the 2001 comedy Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. This is reflective of Saban’s recent initiative to partner on IP with seasoned filmmakers and talent early on in the creative process.
At Saban, Becker has driven the company’s operational and strategic initiatives, generating results that have consistently exceeded expectations and internal plans. As a result, the company has been profitable from its very first full year of operations.
Prior to Saban Films, Becker held the title of EVP, Business Development at RLJ Entertainment and its predecessor Image Entertainment, where he oversaw finance, planning, and analysis and helped guide the company through its merger with Acorn Media Group. Previous positions include SVP of Business Operations at Paramount Pictures and various executive roles at DreamWorks SKG.
Jonathan Saba will continue in his role overseeing all distribution, sales and marketing functions, in addition to playing an instrumental role in the acquisition of new films. Moreover, Saba will spearhead Saban’s ongoing initiative to partner on IP with seasoned filmmakers and talent early on in the creative process, such as Kevin Smith’s upcoming Jay and Silent Bob Get a Reboot, the sequel to the $30+ million domestic grosser and Rob Zombie’s Three From Hell, the long-awaited sequel to House of a 1000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects.
Saba has played a key role in the acquisition and release of all of Saban’s films, including: Rob Zombie’s 31, which is one of the most successful pre-theatrical movies of all time, as well as two of the best performing multi-platform releases of recent years in Ric Roman Waugh’s Shot Caller starring Nicolai Coster-Waldau and Lake Bell, and the Jason Momoa starrer Braven.
He continues to report to Saban Films President, Bill Bromiley.
Prior to joining Saban Films, Saba held executive positions at Anchor Bay Films, Image Entertainment and most recently, the Criterion Collection, where he launched the distribution division of the company. At Criterion, Saba oversaw all managerial, administrative and strategic aspects of North American sales and marketing.
# # #
About Saban Films
Saban Films, an affiliate of Saban Capital Group (“SCG”), is a film acquisition and distribution company which acquires high-quality, feature films to distribute in North America. Focusing on commercial, talent driven films, the company looks at projects in all stages of production for release across multiple platforms, including a day and date theatrical/VOD release strategy. Based in Los Angeles, Saban Films was established by Haim Saban, SCG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and is led by Bill Bromiley who serves as President, Shanan Becker, Chief Financial Officer and Ness Saban, Vice President of Business Development.