The veteran executive and producer arrives as senior vice-president of development and production and will immediately shepherd a rom-com about President Obama and the First Lady’s first date.

Southside With You is inspired by the first date in 1989 between law associate Barack Obama and a lawyer called Michelle Robinson as they go from the Art Institute Of Chicago to a screening of Do The Right Thing to a first kiss outside an ice cream parlour over the course of one summer night.

Tika Sumpter will star as the future First Lady and casting is underway for the role of the future President. Richard Tanne is scheduled to make his directorial debut in Chicago in August based on his screenplay.

Bob Teitel, Sumpter and Tanne will produce while IM Global CEO Stuart Ford, president of production Matt Jackson, Palmer and Tracy Bing serve as executive producers. 

Palmer will report to Ford and Jackson. He is a former development and production executive at Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment and produced the 2011 Sony release Jumping The Broom and previously worked at Robert L Johnson’s and Tracey Edmonds’ Our Stories Films. 

As an independent producer his most recent credits are Marked Man, currently in development, and Hurt Village, set to go into production this summer.

“Tika and I have worked diligently for two years to bring this story to the screen and we couldn’t be more grateful to Stuart Ford for making it happen,” said Tanne. “Between Stuart, Matt, Glendon, JR, Bob, and everyone at IM Global, we are so fortunate to be surrounded by the most supportive and passionate team around.”

“We are delighted to be diving into such an intimate romance in Southside With You,” said Jackson. “Richard, Bob and Tika’s passion for the material is inspiring and we look forward to this rich collaboration.”

Palmer will also shepherd two previously announced projects: the untitled musical romantic drama from John Legend’s Get Lifted Film Co and IM Global and urban comedy Rollin’ Thunder, the first film from the recently announced co-production alliance between IM Global Music and Republic Records.

He will also oversee development on The Short And Tragic Life Of Robert Peace, based on the novel by Jeff Hobbs that Antoine Fuqua and his writing partner Jamal Joseph are adapting for the screen, with Fuqua Films producing.

“Glendon is a hugely talented and popular executive and an important hire for our production division,” said Ford. “There is a sea change happening in how America and the international market view multi-cultural film and television content and it’s entirely within the spirit of IM Global for us to be at the vanguard of this growth.”

Palmer added: “It is an honour to join an entertainment industry leader that is deeply rooted in the international community and equally committed to sharing the voices and faces reflective of our global marketplace through thoughtful storytelling.

“Starting with the just announced titles, I look forward to working to further cement IM Global’s position as preeminent creator of iconic multi-cultural films.”

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